'Still Alice' Director Richard Glatzer Loses His Battle With ALS, Dies At 63

“Still Alice” writer and director Richard Glatzer has passed away. The 63-year-old filmmaker died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Richard was suffering from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, despite of the encumbering effects of the disease, he went on to direct Julianne Moore starrer “Still Alice.” Richard was married to Wash Westmoreland.

“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,” said Wash in a statement, reported The Hollywood Reporter. He also added that Richard was happy that he lived to see the release of “Still Alice” which reportedly touched hearts of many.

The film also earned Julianne Moore, an Academy Award for best actress. During her acceptance speech, Julianne said that when Richard was diagnosed with ALS, all he wanted to do was to make movies and “that's what he did,” reported Eonline. The writer-director was diagnosed with the disease in 2011 and since then his condition deteriorated. Post Richard’s death, Alec Baldwin also took to twitter to pay his condolences. He wrote about the times he worked with the director.

Richard was rushed to the hospital just a few days before the Academy Award ceremony and he reportedly planned to watch the ceremony from the hospital, as reported by THR. Meanwhile, his film “Still Alice” was based on the novel of same name by Lisa Genova. The film tells the story of a linguistics professor at Columbia who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. The role of the professor was played by Moore. Baldwin played her husband in the film. The screenplay of the film was written by Richard and Wash and it also starred Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, and Hunter Parrish. The film was premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. Apart from “Still Alice” Richard is known for films like “Grief,” “The Fluffer” and “Quinceañer.” “Grief” was his directorial debut.

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