Canadian writer, director, editor, and producer Jean-Marc Vallée has suddenly died at the age of 58, with the reason still undisclosed. The renowned powerhouse carved himself a niche with large-sized dramas that still felt intimate as seen in his most renowned works, such as HBO's limited series, Big Little Lies (2017), Wild (2014), and Dallas Buyers Club (2013), the latter of which secured Oscar wins for its leading stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto.

From what is known thus far, the filmmaker passed away at his cabin outside Quebec city, leaving his family and close ones in complete shock.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, the late director began his career by making short films, eventually transitioning into directing features with his debut, Black List (1995), with his breakthrough occurring with his 2005 C.R.A.Z.Y., which put him on the radar of major Hollywood studios. 

In 2009, he directed the Martin Scorsese-produced biopic, Young Victoria, before making Café de Flore (2011) starring Vanessa Paradis, followed by his most famous work, Dallas Buyers Club. The Oscar-winning film, starring McConaughey, Leto, and Jennifer Garner, told the true story of Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), a Texan diagnosed with AIDS with only a month to live. Woodroof thus decides to smuggle alternative medicine previously not approved in the US to help ease his suffering and that of others suffering from AIDS. The film became a box office hit and a critical success, securing Golden Globes and Oscar wins for its stars, and garnering Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay nominations with Vallée receiving a nod for Best Film Editing.

Following the success of Dallas, he directed Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern in Wild, another biopic that went on to be nominated for three Oscars.

Vallée then began focusing on television series, where he found immeasurable success.

He directed HBO's limited series Big Little Lies in 2017, which led him to win the Directors Guild of America and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing, and the series won eight Emmys and four Golden Globes.

His next effort was centered on adapting the Gillian Flynn novel, Sharp Objects, into a limited series HBO starring Amy Adams. It was nominated for eight Emmys. 

“Jean-Marc Vallée was a brilliant, fiercely dedicated filmmaker, a truly phenomenal talent who infused every scene with a deeply visceral, emotional truth,” a statement by HBO read.

The director's longtime producing partner Nathan Ross mourned his friend, saying, “Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity, and trying things differently. He was a true artist and a generous, loving guy." He further added that "he was a friend, creative partner, and an older brother to me. The maestro will sorely be missed, but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful work he shared with the world will live on.”

Vallée is survived by his sons, Alex and Émile, and siblings Marie-Josée Vallée, Stéphane Tousignant, and Gérald Vallée.