Los Angeles, May 9 (UNI) Renowned American filmmaker James Foley, best known for directing two films in the “Fifty Shades” franchise and a string of iconic Madonna music videos, has passed away here at the age of 71.
A spokesman for the director said he died “peacefully in his sleep earlier this week” at his home in Los Angeles following a “year-long struggle” with brain cancer.
Foley launched his cinematic career in 1984 with “Reckless”, starring Daryl Hannah and Aidan Quinn, before going on to direct critically acclaimed dramas such as “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992), “Fear” (1996), “Confidence” and “Perfect Stranger”,
He was lnown for carving a distinctive niché for himself with taut, character-driven narratives.
Foley did not direct “Fifty Shades of Grey”, but did join the franchise to direct both its sequels, “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed”, after the departure of Sam Taylor-Johnson following the first film.
The film series, based on the best-selling books by EL James, was a huge box office success and made film stars out of its lead actors Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.
When directing the three music videos for Madonna in 1986, Foley used the pseudonym Peter Percher.
However, he returned to using his own name when he worked with Madonna again the following year on the film “Who’s That Girl”, which saw the singer play a woman falsely accused of murdering her boyfriend.
Foley also directed episodes of hit TV series such as “Twin Peaks”, “Billions” and “Hannibal”.
