We've learned the incredibly sad news today (via Deadline) that legendary filmmaker Joel Schumacher, known in the horror community for directing the 1987 vampire classic The Lost Boys and the supernatural sci-fi film Flatliners, has passed away after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 80.
Born in New York City, Schumacher attended Parsons School of Design at New School University and the Fashion Institute of Technology, which he paid for by designing clothing and packaging for Revlon and working as a department store window dresser.
Early in his Hollywood career, Schumacher served as costume designer on Woody Allen's Sleeper and Paul Mazursky's Blume in Love. In 1974, he co-wrote and made his directorial debut with the NBC telefilm, Virginia Hill. Five years later, he directed another NBC movie, Amateur Night at the Dixie Bar and Grill.
Schumacher made his feature directing debut in 1981 with The Incredible Shrinking Woman, he then moved onto directing D.C. Cab and St. Elmo's Fire in the years that followed.
In 1995, he directed Batman Forever, taking the reins from Tim Burton, who had just directed the two Michael Keaton-starring films, Batman and Batman Returns. Schumacher followed Batman Forever with the 1997's Batman & Robin.
Schumacher's unique résumé also includes Falling Down, The Client, A Time to Kill, 8MM, Flawless, Tigerland, Phone Booth, The Phantom of the Opera (2004), The Number 23, Veronica Guerin, Blood Creek and Trespass.
He also directed music videos for INXS, Lenny Kravitz and The Killing Floor.
The Lost Boys star Alex Winter paid his respects on Twitter this afternoon, writing: "Joel was a creative genius; a master at clothing design, costuming, writing and of course directing. Joel saw something in me as an actor I didn’t see and gave me the confidence and space to pursue it. Unfairly savaged by critics his entire career, his great work will live on."
Joel Schumacher's stylish and diverse library of films will live on and inspire for generations to come. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
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