George Hickenlooper, who directed the 1991 documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (about the making of Apocalypse Now!), has died at 47. He was found this morning in Denver, where he was preparing to premiere his latest film, Casino Jack, at the Starz Denver Film Festival. The movie stars Kevin Spacey as disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. According to The Denver Post, Hickenlooper appears to have died of natural causes.
Hickenlooper also directed the 2006 Edie Sedgwick biopic Factory Girl, the 2003 documentary Mayor of the Sunset Strip, and the 2001 drama The Man From Elysian Fields. He is survived by his wife and son. The late filmmaker’s cousin, Denver mayor and gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper, issued this statement to The Denver Post: “Shock and sadness do not begin to describe our emotions. We are devastated. George had immense creative talents and cinematic gifts, but he was so much more than that to us and all his family. His passion for life, zeal for people and unquenchable curiosity enriched everyone who had the fortune to know him. We will miss his sense of humor, his warm character and the avid encouragement he gave anyone around him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Suzanne, and his son, Charles.”
UPDATE: A statement from Johnathan Dorfman and Temple Fennell of ATO Pictures, the Casino Jack distributor:
“On behalf of ATO Pictures, we are devastated by the loss of our friend and colleague, George Hickenlooper. Those who knew George can attest to his amazing talent and commitment to excellence. No one held the bar higher or had a bigger heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
No modern day 47-year-old dies of “natural causes.” What a ridiculous report.
That’s fairly brutal!
I’m guessing a Halloween slasher-flick marathon has (further) impaired retard’s thought processes.
As for Dean, well, he obviously hasn’t had much life experience.
…I’m sorry to hear about Hickenlooper. “Heart of Darkness” is a great doc – certainly worth watching if you like “Apocalypse Now.”
CFE- Thanks tons for the info and help with everything. Last race of the saeosn. PR’d my 1//2 marathon time by 4 minutes and took 4th overall at the Walker North Country Marathon. Plus did not feel like I got thrown down the stairs an hour after the race.
Sadly, many people in their 40′s die of natural causes…. and yes, that term does include diseases such as cancer,heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. What it doesn’t include is suicide, homicide, accidents and drug overdoses. What a tragedy for his family.
Hey Dean, I’m diabetic and had quad bypass at 50, Throw in lifetime of southern cooking and bacon grease and finding out you are diabetic probably more than a decade before you knew it.
I should’ve croaked.
Massive Heart attack related to blocked arteries will cause sudden death, especially at that age. Natural death.
Sorry to say, Dean, but many men (and a few women) die of undiagnosed heart disease in their 40s.
Well then that’s not a “natural cause,” it’s heart disease.
Heart disease is a natural cause, dim bulb.
Sad. Really enjoyed “The Mayor of Sunset Strip”. Condolences to his family; 47 is too young.
Interval bike this morning. Shorter inveatrls on the trainer. 9x3min./1rec, then 2x/4min(hills)/1rec. 8.6 mile run after with one of my friends. first 5.1 went at her traditional LSD pace, I took the last 3.3 or whatever as a TT and 23:54. New drink mix and extra GU really helped. Pretty happy with this, hope it helps for tri next week. Felt good to go a little slower to start and enjoy it, not feel like I had to push. Stretching and Stick rest of day.
I heard he died while engaging in so-called auto-erotic axphisiation with Kevin Spacey…
your an idiot and saying a stupid comment to get people started. Though you should have shown a little respect as its a death and something we all must face one day, I hope nobody shows the lack of respect to you as you have shown by your comment.
Get a life and get off this column have some respect for his family and friends.
12M x 2 35:16, 36:36Thanks. I got what it meant and tried when you confirmed. I just coudln’t add 20% distance and maintain speed; dyed at the end. If you could do it, your TT time is outdated. At least I was within 3:00 of goal time for both reps (~34:48).CF 19:12 Someday I’ll get the hang of DU’s.
OMG!!! You need to get a life,dude. Seriously…..Don’t you have something better to do;such as, scratch your dimwitted butt,woops, I meant.. head?
If you don’t have anything nice to say SHUT UP!
so sorry to hear this. my heart goes out to his family.
very sad he died….but who the hell was he….wheres the glee column
My God, the man’s died. Have some respect for the grieving family, and less wanting to gain self attention. How stupidly cruel.
How about one of the rules of this and every forum like it that allows comments, Show some effin respect. Asses.
‘Natural causes’ means ‘none of your business’; because truly, it’s none of your business.
Everyone would do well to add one of his earlier films, “The Low Life,” to their Netflix queue, if it is even available. Awesome movie. “Hearts of Darkness” is one of the best docs about the making of a film, ever, and is a must for any fan of “Apocalypse Now.” He will be missed.
the hollywood whackers got 2 more today sopranoes actress also lol
ugh……….
George was a wonderful and kind person, I knew him when I was a child in St. Louis where he grew up. My thoughts go out to his wife and son.
I agree with the post above that says, if you have nothing good to say about someone, then SHUT UP idiot. George and I go way back to when he went to school with my boys in St. Louis. He was a kind and funny kid who perferred watching the news to Charlie’s Angels. He was extremely mature for his age, and we enjoyed the nights that he spent with us, and will remember him with kindness always. My sympathies to his wife and son.
George and my family go way back to when he went to school with my kids in St. Louis, and used to stay the night. He was a great kid, and way ahead of his time, preferring to watch the news with my husband to Charlie’s Angels. He will be sadly missed, and my sympathy to his family.