Jean-Marc Vallee, a Canadian director and producer, died from natural causes
Key Takeaways:
- Jean-Marc Vallee, a well-known Canadian filmmaker, and producer, died of natural causes on Christmas Day, according to his family.
- Vallee alerted a buddy on Christmas Eve that he would be arriving at the cabin on December 25 over a phone call.
- The sons and their mother will soon unveil plans for a commemorative event to celebrate Vallee's life and accomplishments, according to the statement.
The family of famed Canadian director and producer Jean-Marc Vallee announced Wednesday that he died of natural causes on Christmas Day.
A Quebec coroner ruled Vallee died of a "fatal cardiac arrhythmia owing to significant coronary atherosclerosis," they said.
It was made public just days before a coroner's report on Vallee's death at his cabin outside Quebec City over the Christmas holiday weekend of 2021. He was just 58 years old at the time.
After his blockbuster feature "C.R.A.Z.Y.," Vallee directed a streak of high-profile films and series, receiving an Emmy for directing the hit HBO series "Big Little Lies" and earning many Oscar nominations for his 2013 thriller "Dallas Buyers Club."
According to the coroner, Vallee died not long after coming to his cabin. He had no chronic health conditions that would put him at risk for cardiovascular disease other than lower back pain.
Coroner Donald Nicole noted in his report that Vallee had invited a friend to eat with him on Boxing Day at his secondary house in Berthier-sur-Mer, southeast of Quebec City.
On December 26, a buddy attempted to call him at noon but was unable. Worried, he returned to the cabin around 2:30 p.m. and discovered Vallee slumped with his cellphone on his dining room floor in his hand.
During a call on Christmas Eve, Vallee informed the friend that he would be arriving at the cabin on December 25. According to the coroner, Vallee had missed calls and messages starting at 9:42 p.m. on December 25, and his travel bag, groceries, and other personal items were discovered in his car.
Vallee studied filmmaking at College Ahuntsic and the Universite du Quebec a Montreal, where he was born.
In a statement posted late Wednesday, Vallee's sons, Alex and Emile Vallee, said that people are still contacting them about their filmmaker father's influence.
"Friendship, esteem, and respect for our father and his work continue to pour in from all over the world," they stated.
"We are deeply thankful, and we hope that his talent will continue to serve as an inspiration and guide to those working in the sector he loved."
According to the statement, the sons and their mother will soon reveal plans for a commemorative gathering to honor Vallee's life and work.