Richard Glatzer, who wrote and directed Julianne Moore’s Oscar-winning performance in Still Alice, has died after battling ALS. He was 63.
Publicists say he passed away Tuesday morning only three weeks after he watched Moore win the statuette. Glatzer poured his heart and soul into the film, alongside his husband Wash Westmoreland, in spite of his debilitating condition. The pair adapted the film from Lisa Genova’s novel and proceeded to develop the project, even though he had just been diagnosed with ALS.
Glatzer and Westmoreland previously made waves with 2006’s Quinceanera, a film about a pregnant 14-year-old Latina growing up in L.A.’s Echo Park neighborhood, which went on win the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
Westmoreland released the following statement regarding Richard’s death on Tuesday:
“I am devastated. Rich was my soulmate, my collaborator, my best friend and my life. Seeing him battle ALS for four years with such grace and courage inspired me and all who knew him.
“In this dark time, I take some consolation in the fact that he got to see Still Alice go out into the world. He put his heart and soul into that film, and the fact that it touched so many people was a constant joy to him.
“Thank you to everyone for this huge outpouring of love. Richard was a unique guy — opinionated, funny, caring, gregarious, generous and so, so smart. A true artist and a brilliant man. I treasure every day of the short 20 years we had together.
“I cannot believe he has gone. But in my heart and the hearts of those who loved him, he will always be alive.”
Rest in peace, Richard Glatzer.
