James Foley, the acclaimed director behind films like Glengarry Glen Ross and Fifty Shades Darker, has died at 71. He passed away peacefully in his sleep in Los Angeles after a years-long battle with brain cancer, his representative confirmed.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, Foley left a distinct mark in both film and television. His movie credits include At Close Range (1986), Fear (1996), and Fifty Shades Freed (2018). On television, he directed episodes of House of Cards, Billions, and Twin Peaks.
Born in New York on December 28, 1953, Foley studied film at NYU and USC. A chance meeting with director Hal Ashby while still in school helped launch his Hollywood career. Foley’s feature debut came with 1984’s Reckless, followed by music videos for Madonna, including “Papa Don’t Preach,” “Live to Tell,” and “True Blue.”
He collaborated with major stars such as Sean Penn, Al Pacino, Reese Witherspoon, and Halle Berry. However, after a difficult experience filming Perfect Stranger (2007), Foley took a break from movies before returning to helm the final two Fifty Shades installments.
“I am incredibly hands-on about everything,” Foley said in a 2022 interview. “The best actors want to be directed… once you’re on the same wavelength, you get incredible results.”
Fifty Shades Freed was his final project.
Foley is survived by his brother Kevin, sisters Eileen and Jo Ann, and nephew Quinn. He was predeceased by another brother, Gerard.
