‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ Director Jean-Marc Vallee Dead at 58: Shailene Woodley, More Stars React

Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

'Big Little Lies' and 'Dallas Buyers Club' Director Jean-Marc Vallee Dead at 58: Shailene Woodley, More Stars React

UPDATE 4/14/22 11:47 a.m. ET Jean-Marc Vallée's family confirmed the late director's cause of death nearly four months after his passing. According to the final coroner's report, the filmmaker's December 2021 death was caused by “a fatal cardiac arrhythmia secondary to severe coronary atherosclerosis." Preliminary reports could not determine an exact cause, but the coroner noted that Vallée's death was "not caused by the intervention of another party, a voluntary act, or a known disease.” In a statement on Wednesday, April 13, the Big Little Lies director's sons thanked fans and colleagues for their support over the past few months. “Testimonials of friendship, esteem and respect for our father and for his work are still coming from around the world,” Alex and Émile Vallée told Deadline in a statement. “We are sincerely grateful and we hope that his creativity will continue to serve as inspiration and guidance to the people in this industry that he was so passionate about.” The family plans to announce memorial details for Jean-Marc in the near future. Original story below: In memoriam. Director Jean-Marc Vallée died on Sunday, December 26, at his home in Quebec City, Canda, at age 58. “He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me,” Vallée’s Crazyrose production company partner, Nathan Ross, wrote in a statement. “The maestro will sorely be missed.” The filmmaker's publicist, Bumble Ward, tweeted, “Still in shock over the news that Jean-Marc Vallée has died. What you may not know is that he was sweet and kind, full of gratitude, remembered birthdays and sent awesome mixtapes, while still being a creative genius. Rest In Peace.” His cause of death has yet to be disclosed. The Canada native was well known for his work on Wild, Dallas Buyers Club and Big Little Lies, among other projects. One of the HBO show’s lead actresses Shailene Woodley mourned the late Canada native in an Instagram Story post on Monday, December 27. [jwplayer NIknqCXt-zhNYySv2] “I am in shock. Complete and utter shock,” the Secret Life of the American Teenager alum, 30, captioned a throwback photo of Vallée. “My f--king god death is the worst. But I guess somehow I know you will turn it into a grand adventure. One for the books. One I can’t wait to read and to watch when my time comes. It doesn’t make sense though dude. It doesn’t. Maybe when we wake up tomorrow, you’ll be there laughing saying it was just a satirical short film you made. That it’s not real.” Vallée received many awards throughout his career, including four Oscars and two Golden Globes. In 2014, Vallée told The Associated Press that one of the secrets to his success is that he doesn’t “interfere” with actors. “They can move anywhere they want,” he explained to the outlet at the time. “It’s giving the importance to storytelling, emotion, characters. I try not to interfere too much. I don’t need to cut performances. Often, the cinematographer and I [are] like, ‘This location sucks. It’s not very nice. But, hey, that’s life.’” Five years later, Vallèe elaborated on his signature style, telling DGA Quarterly: “I’m not pushing style and I’m not saying, ‘Hey, let’s aim for a style,’ and I’m not aiming for tone either. People ask me sometimes, ‘How did you manage to get this tone in your film?’ And I don’t think tone and style. I think emotion, storytelling, characters.” Keep scrolling to see celebrities reacting to his death. [podcast_block]

Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

'Big Little Lies' and 'Dallas Buyers Club' Director Jean-Marc Vallee Dead at 58: Shailene Woodley, More Stars React

UPDATE 4/14/22 11:47 a.m. ET Jean-Marc Vallée's family confirmed the late director's cause of death nearly four months after his passing. According to the final coroner's report, the filmmaker's December 2021 death was caused by “a fatal cardiac arrhythmia secondary to severe coronary atherosclerosis." Preliminary reports could not determine an exact cause, but the coroner noted that Vallée's death was "not caused by the intervention of another party, a voluntary act, or a known disease.” In a statement on Wednesday, April 13, the Big Little Lies director's sons thanked fans and colleagues for their support over the past few months. “Testimonials of friendship, esteem and respect for our father and for his work are still coming from around the world,” Alex and Émile Vallée told Deadline in a statement. “We are sincerely grateful and we hope that his creativity will continue to serve as inspiration and guidance to the people in this industry that he was so passionate about.” The family plans to announce memorial details for Jean-Marc in the near future. Original story below: In memoriam. Director Jean-Marc Vallée died on Sunday, December 26, at his home in Quebec City, Canda, at age 58. “He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me,” Vallée’s Crazyrose production company partner, Nathan Ross, wrote in a statement. “The maestro will sorely be missed.” The filmmaker's publicist, Bumble Ward, tweeted, “Still in shock over the news that Jean-Marc Vallée has died. What you may not know is that he was sweet and kind, full of gratitude, remembered birthdays and sent awesome mixtapes, while still being a creative genius. Rest In Peace.” His cause of death has yet to be disclosed. The Canada native was well known for his work on Wild, Dallas Buyers Club and Big Little Lies, among other projects. One of the HBO show’s lead actresses Shailene Woodley mourned the late Canada native in an Instagram Story post on Monday, December 27. [jwplayer NIknqCXt-zhNYySv2] “I am in shock. Complete and utter shock,” the Secret Life of the American Teenager alum, 30, captioned a throwback photo of Vallée. “My f--king god death is the worst. But I guess somehow I know you will turn it into a grand adventure. One for the books. One I can’t wait to read and to watch when my time comes. It doesn’t make sense though dude. It doesn’t. Maybe when we wake up tomorrow, you’ll be there laughing saying it was just a satirical short film you made. That it’s not real.” Vallée received many awards throughout his career, including four Oscars and two Golden Globes. In 2014, Vallée told The Associated Press that one of the secrets to his success is that he doesn’t “interfere” with actors. “They can move anywhere they want,” he explained to the outlet at the time. “It’s giving the importance to storytelling, emotion, characters. I try not to interfere too much. I don’t need to cut performances. Often, the cinematographer and I [are] like, ‘This location sucks. It’s not very nice. But, hey, that’s life.’” Five years later, Vallèe elaborated on his signature style, telling DGA Quarterly: “I’m not pushing style and I’m not saying, ‘Hey, let’s aim for a style,’ and I’m not aiming for tone either. People ask me sometimes, ‘How did you manage to get this tone in your film?’ And I don’t think tone and style. I think emotion, storytelling, characters.” Keep scrolling to see celebrities reacting to his death. [podcast_block]

Credit: Action Press/Shutterstock

Reese Witherspoon

"My heart is broken," the Wild star captioned an Instagram Story upload. "My friend. I love you."

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Shailene Woodley

The California native posted a photo of Vallée standing in a kitchen with his back to the camera via Instagram Stories.

Credit: David Buchan/Shutterstock

Nathan Ross

“It comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful work he shared with the world will live on,” Vallée’s friend wrote.

Credit: George Pimentel/Shutterstock

Cameron Bailey

“Can’t believe it. Jean-Marc Vallée was a prodigious talent, and the only filmmaker to both open (DEMOLITION) and close (THE YOUNG VICTORIA) the Toronto International Film Festival. I’ll miss his fire,” the film festival’s CEO tweeted.