'13 Going on 30' Director Gary Winick Dies at 49

By Moviefone Editors Posted Mar 1st 2011 12:01AM

While all of Hollywood was busy celebrating the Oscars on Sunday night, some sad news hit Twitter: Filmmaker Gary Winick passed away at the too-young age of 49.

Cinetic's Matt Dentler broke the news, stating, "Gary Winick died today. Too late to make the Oscars tribute, but way too early. He leaves behind a legacy of supporting indie film and NYC." Winick would have turned 50 next month.

Fox News is reporting that Winick died of brain cancer. His manager, Rosalie Swedlin, is quoted saying, "He was suffering from brain cancer for quite some time, and it ultimately metastasized throughout his body."

She continues, "What's remarkable is that after his first surgery, he was able to direct 'Letters to Juliet.' It was a battle that we thought he had won, and ultimately they just didn't get it all."

Best known for his work on films like 'Charlotte's Web,' 'Letters to Juliet' and '13 Going on 30,' Winick's real legacy is something much greater than those films. The filmmaker will long be remembered by serious film fans for his efforts in spearheading the digital film revolution.

Winick was one of the founders of InDigEnt, short for Independent Digital Entertainment, an organization that encouraged indie filmmakers to shoot their films on digital cameras and for under $100,000.

It is quite clear that the indie film scene has lost an important piece of its history and one of its greatest champions.

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Tags: Gary Winick

Comments

(22)

Tuesday 01 March

By bethdebassige

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I am very saddend to have read of this Director's death. I have bought the movie 13 going on 30, a few years ago, after watching it(13 going on 30) on t.v. He made a really great film. He will be sorrily missed in Hollywood!

By BTDT

How sad. RIP Mr. Winick.

By Zero

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm sorry to hear he died but '13 going on 30' was crap.

By Ted

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But "Letters to Juliet" was a GREAT movie.

By stu

he dies & charlie lives. life svcks!

By tommie

YOU ARE TERRIBLE!! I DON'T WISH ANYONE DEAD. SHAME ON YOU!!

By ed baggett

Hahahaha

By zemog44

So sad to die at such a young age. I am so sorry. I loved "13 Going On 30". I thought it was so enjoyable (and I'm a guy!) My deepfelt sympathy to his fanmily, friends and fans throughout the world. Rest In Peace.

By We all

We all have to live our last day.We all must say good bye.
We all have to face the good people the bad people and the ones in between on earth.
We all wear our ugly masks our pretty ones and the ones that make us cry.
To give your heart to loving all, you shall surely never die.

By the grec

Anybody even heard of this clown ??? that piece of garbage movie with the horse face garner is this guys clame to fame ?? stop immortalizing movie actors, directors, etc. people. start worrying about your own mortality and you'll be better off for it. This, just like the teenage girl Dylan was banging back in the day is not news. People die all the time.

By no

I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Winick on several occasions, and he was a really kind man. He made some great contributions to the film world, so clearly very talented as well. If you look him up, you'll see he was a lot more than "13 Going on 30". Maybe you should worry about your own mortality instead of writing hateful things about people you really know nothing about.

By Pixie

How many movies have you directed? It seems like this guy brought entertainment to a lot of people and made a BIG contribution to independent movies (Black Swan, Winter's Bone, The King's Speech,etc.)He made his life matter.

Yes, everbody dies, and you will, too. I wonder if anyone will care?

By Gandalf

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Grec - get over your little self.

By Ben

Contrary to popular belief, Movie actors and directors are actual people. they have friends and people who love them. Gary was a great person, a fantastic friend to everyone he met, and a selfless egoless man. He will be sorely missed while you will not.

By lsoxchance

I have had some close friends, and one he lost his uncle to that form a cancer and he also had brain as well. He is also now battleling another form of Cancer. Some people are just un-lucky with this. Then some they just need it once.

I loved my chick flick 13 going on 30. Now we need to see it on TBS.

By rose

So your so and SO got over the brain cancer and now hes got it somewhere else? what kind of a statment is that? and then you said some only need it once? Who needs it? who really needs cancer? i say this to you. go do your homework and get to bed after you finish.

By Melanie

R.I.P.

STU, DO US ALL A FAVOR AND GET OFF AOL. GO TO HOWARD STERN AND LEAVE US REAL PEOPLE IN PEACE. YOU ARE NOTHING BUT AN ANTAGONIST. HOWARD STERN WANNABE!!

By me

i like stu. he should host the oscars next yr.

By YellowRose3218

My prayers are with Gary, and his family, at this sad time.

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