James Foley, famed director known for the classic film “Glengarry Glen Ross,” has passed away at the age of 71. His representative, Taylor Lomax, shared the news that Foley succumbed to brain cancer after a yearlong battle.
Throughout his career, Foley worked on a diverse range of projects, including Madonna music videos, multiple episodes of the political drama “House of Cards,” and the sequels to “Fifty Shades of Grey.” However, his adaptation of David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross” stands out as a significant work. Initially overlooked upon its release in 1992, the film has since become a cultural touchstone, particularly known for Alec Baldwin’s memorable “always be closing” speech.
Critic Tim Grierson observed that the film remains one of the most prominent modern reflections on masculinity, noting that while Mamet produced several notable films, “Glengarry Glen Ross,” which he did not direct, is regarded as the best.
James Foley was born on December 28, 1953, in Brooklyn and later studied film at the University of Southern California. His career launched with “Reckless,” a romantic drama featuring Daryl Hannah, which benefited from a fortuitous encounter with director Hal Ashby.
Foley’s filmmaking journey included collaborations on notable projects such as the crime drama “At Close Range” with Sean Penn, and the critically acclaimed noir “After Dark, My Sweet.” His work in music videos for Madonna, including “Papa Don’t Preach” and “Live to Tell,” further showcased his versatile talents.
He adapted works by author John Grisham and directed films like “Fear,” along with “Perfect Stranger,” which received mixed reviews. After a decade-long hiatus, Foley returned to direct the “Fifty Shades” sequels, where he expressed that scenes without actors posed their own unique challenges.
Foley was not one to be easily categorized as a director; he preferred to explore different styles throughout his career. In 2017, he remarked that he delighted in not being pigeonholed, citing that it allowed him to continue making films without being confined to one genre.
He is survived by his brother, Kevin, and sisters Eileen and Jo Ann.
