Director Joel Schumacher, who helmed movies such as St. Elmo's Fire, The Lost Boys, and Batman Forever, has died at age 80. Schumacher was born in New York City in 1939. After studying at Parsons The New School for Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology, he worked in the fashion industry until he realized that his true passion was in filmmaking. This led Schumacher to LA, where he worked as a costume designer for movies like Sleeper. He also worked on television and eventually earned an MFA from UCLA.
Schumacher's first screenplay was the musical drama, Sparkle, in 1976. He eventually transitioned from costume designer to writer and director. Schumacher's debut as a director was The Incredible Shrinking Woman, starring Lily Tomlin in 1981. Two of Schumacher's most well-known movies were St. Elmo's Fire and The Lost Boys, which were both Brat Pack films. These films opened the door for Schumacher to take on even bigger projects. Schumacher directed Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, taking over the franchise from Tim Burton.
According to The Wrap, a representative announced that the writer-director, after fighting a year-long battle with cancer, passed away on Monday. Schumacher leaves behind a legacy in filmmaking and a long history of impactful work in the film industry. Schumacher had gained a reputation for being able to recognize young talent, which includes Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, and Ally Sheedy. He also cast actors like Kiefer Sutherland, Matthew McConaughey, and Colin Farrell in their first major screen roles.
Throughout his career, Schumacher has been nominated for awards such as the Daytime Emmys and the Satellite Awards. His film Falling Down (1993) was nominated for a Palme d'Or, and 8mm (1999) was nominated for a Golden Bear. Schumacher's resume also includes Bad Company (2002), The Phantom of the Opera (2004), The Number 23 (2007), and two episodes of Netflix's House of Cards in 2013.
Whether it was helming the blockbuster movies like Batman Forever, or cult classics like The Lost Boys, both his range and his passion for filmmaking were always visible in his works. In fact, The Lost Boys has such a strong love from fans that there have been talks for years about it being adapted into a new television series. Schumacher's career in the industry has spanned nearly four decades. He has jump-started the careers of some of the biggest names in Hollywood and has created and helped tell a wide range of remarkable stories. His impact on the craft will never be forgotten, and fans will no doubt miss this famous director.
Source: The Wrap