James Foley, a seasoned director whose resume boasted hits such as "Glengarry Glen Ross," the sequels to "Fifty Shades of Grey," and contributions to the acclaimed television series "House of Cards," passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles residence on Tuesday. He was 71 years old. The cause of his demise, as revealed by Taylor Lomax of ID, the agency representing Mr. Foley, on Thursday, was brain cancer.
Mr. Foley's directorial journey commenced with the 1984 film "Reckless," a poignant tale of teenage love between a rebellious, motorcycle-riding football player and a cheerleader. Over the ensuing decades, he carved a niche for himself in the world of cinema, television, and music videos, collaborating with some of Hollywood's most luminous stars.
One of his most lauded works remains the 1992 cinematic adaptation of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Glengarry Glen Ross." This film, which delved into the lives of struggling real estate agents amidst a challenging economy, featured an ensemble cast including Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, and Alan Arkin.
Mr. Foley's directorial prowess was also evident in "Fifty Shades Darker" (2017) and "Fifty Shades Freed" (2018), the concluding chapters of the "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise, adapted from E.L. James' bestselling trilogy.
In a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mr. Foley expressed satisfaction that his career had not been confined to any particular genre. "I pursue what fascinates and intrigues me, what feels personally engaging for the year-long journey of making a film. I don't adhere to conventions," he remarked.
Born on December 28, 1953, in Brooklyn, James Foley hailed from a family where his mother, Frances, was a homemaker, and his father, James Vincent Foley, was an attorney. He grew up on Staten Island, where he studied psychology and graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1974. Initially intent on pursuing medical school, a six-week film production course at New York University redirected his path towards directing. He later earned an M.F.A. from the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts in 1979.
Mr. Foley fondly recalled screening a short film he created during that six-week course to film and media studies students at Johns Hopkins University in 2013. "That was the first time something I had done evoked a strong reaction from many people. From that moment, I knew I wanted to recreate that magic," he said.
His directorial credits also include notable films like "At Close Range" (1986), starring Sean Penn and Christopher Walken, and the 1990 adaptation of Jim Thompson's crime novel "After Dark, My Sweet," which he co-wrote and directed. Other notable works span "Fear" (1996) with Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon, "The Chamber" (1996) featuring Chris O'Donnell and Gene Hackman, and "Perfect Stranger" (2007) with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis.
Mr. Foley's directorial talents extended to music videos as well, with him helming several for Madonna, including "Live to Tell," "True Blue," and "Papa Don't Preach."
His television directing debut came with an episode of "Twin Peaks" in 1991. He subsequently directed 12 episodes across the first three seasons of "House of Cards," the critically acclaimed Netflix series that delves into the underbelly of American politics, adapted from a BBC series of the same name. He also directed episodes of "Wayward Pines" and "Billions."
Mr. Foley leaves behind a brother, Kevin Foley; two sisters, Eileen and Jo Ann Foley; and a nephew, Quinn Foley. He was preceded in death by his brother, Gerard Foley.
Reflecting on his multifaceted career in a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mr. Foley said, "My career has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, twists and turns. I've always followed my passions, for better or worse, sometimes even into uncharted territories."
