Jean-Marc Vallée died suddenly at 58 when in a cabin outside Quebec City on Sunday which his family said came as a big shock to them.
The tributes for Hollywood’s director began arriving Monday morning.
Reese Witherspoon, who wrote in an Instagram posting that she was one of the first to admit her pain, was also among them. Oscar-winning actress with famed helmer Reese Witherspoon worked together in the production of Big Little Lies and Wild, which received critical acclaim.
Her pain: Jean-Marc Vallée died suddenly at 58 when in a cabin outside Quebec City on Sunday. Reese Witherspoon (Big Little Lies) was quick and kind to offer a fitting tribute.
The big stars of Big Little Lies are (L-R: Nicole Kidman, Witherspoon, and Jean-Marc 2017
“My heart breaks. My friend. Reese added the broken heart emoticon to her message. Reese with Jean at the film set.
Shailene Woodley also stars in Big Little Lies and shared her gratitude for the director.
‘I am in shock. It was a complete and total shock. My f***ing god death is the worst,’ wrote Shailene over a photo of the back of Jean in a kitchen.
‘Oh my, it tears me apart,’ the fiancé of football star Aaron Rodgers added.
“But, I suppose somehow I know that you will make it into an epic adventure… one to be published. one I can’t wait to read & to watch when my time comes.
It doesn’t make much sense dude. It’s not logical. Perhaps you will be laughing when you wake up tomorrow, saying that it was a short satirical film you had made. But it isn’t real.
Big cast: The film was acclaimed for getting the best performances out of, from left, Shailene Woodley as Jane Chapman, Zoe Kravitz as Bonnie Carlson, Witherspoon as Madeline Martha Mackenzie, Nicole Kidman as Celeste Wright and Laura Dern as Renata Klein
It was a triumph for Vallee and Witherspoon in the 2014 dramatic Wild about self-repair
The Descendants actress ended by saying, “Didn’t you ever want?
Josh Gad (of Frozen fame) wrote “Oh My God.” This is absolutely terrible. I loved his work. RIP.’
Paul Feig wrote, “My god, that is just so sad. This is such a tragic loss. His talent as a filmmaker was extraordinary. His family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Jason Blum shared, ‘Jean-Marc Vallée was an incredible talent and treasured collaborator to @blumhouse on Sharp Objects. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.
Deadline reports that the Dallas Buyers Club director, at 58, has suddenly died at home in Quebec City, Canada.
The cause of death for the Demolition Director is unknown at this time.
Nathan Ross (Jane-Marc’s producing partner), has made a tribute to Jean-Marc, hailing him as an ‘true artist’.
A statement was made by him that Jean Marc stood for creativity, authenticity, and the willingness to do things differently. He was both an artist and generous man.
Hard to take: Shailene, also a Big Little Lies star, shared a tribute for the filmmaker. ‘I am in shock. Total and utter shock. My f***ing god death is the worst,’ wrote Shailene over a photo of the back of Jean in a kitchen
Everyone who knew him was awed by his vision and talent. I was his friend, creative partner, and older brother. It will be a great loss to the maestro, but we will always remember his amazing style and inspiring work.
In a statement following his passing, HBO executives said: ‘Jean-Marc Vallée was a brilliant, fiercely dedicated filmmaker, a truly phenomenal talent who infused every scene with a deeply visceral, emotional truth.
“He was also very caring and invested himself in every actor that he directed.
‘We are shocked at the news of his sudden death, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his sons, Alex and Émile, his extended family, and his longtime producing partner, Nathan Ross.’
Canadian producer, director, writer and editor, C.R.A.Z.Y. was his breakthrough feature film. In 2014, he won the Best Editing Oscar at Dallas Buyers Club. Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey also took the honors as supporting actors and lead actor respectively, at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Jean-Marc starred in Wild’s movie and was nominated for Oscars. He reunited the actresses with Wild when he produced and directed HBO’s first season of Big Little Lies.
Proud: The Canadian writer, producer, editor and director was nominated for the Best Editing Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club, which starred Matthew McConaughey; seen in 2014
Two Emmy Awards were won for his direction and production of the mini-series. These awards added to the total eight Emmys received by the show and four Golden Globes.
Vallee is survived by his two sons – Alex and Emile, whom he shares with ex-wife Chantal Cadieux, a Canadian playwright whom Vallee was married to for more than 15 years, from 1990 to 2006.
His siblings Marie-Josee Vallee and Stephane Tousignant are also survivors.
According to the New York Times, he was to executive-produce and direct another HBO limited series, Gorilla and the Bird. It is based on the memoir by the same title about a public defender who experiences a psychotic break.
Sharp move: Amy Adams (L), Vallee, and Vallee attended the Premiere of HBO’s Sharp Objects at The Cinerama Dome Los Angeles 2018
Vallee often shot with natural light and hand-held cameras and gave actors freedom to improvise the script and move around within a scene´s location. For the 2014 movie ‘Wild’, Witherspoon was shot on location along the Pacific Coast Trail.
In a 2014 interview, the Canadian director said that his actors can “move anywhere they like.”
It is giving importance to stories, emotion and characters. It’s important not to interrupt too often. It’s not necessary to reduce performances.
“Often the cinematographer was like this: “This place sucks. It’s not very beautiful. But, hey, that’s life.”
Valle stated that his goal was to highlight the human flaws and weaknesses in the New York Times’ 2018 interview.
He said that he saw that he was attracted to stories about underdog characters and added: “The humanity, beautiful humanity is dark.”