Renowned director James Foley, known for Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed, and Glengarry Glen Ross, passed away at 71 on May 8, 2025, after battling brain cancer. His legacy spans iconic films, Madonna music videos, and acclaimed TV series.
On May 8, 2025, James Foley’s family confirmed his death at 71 following a yearlong battle with brain cancer, per Variety. Born in Brooklyn on December 28, 1953, Foley debuted with Reckless (1984) and gained acclaim for At Close Range (1986), starring Sean Penn, per The Hollywood Reporter.
James Foley, Director of 'Glengarry Glen Ross,' 'House of Cards' and 'Fifty Shades,' Dies at 71 https://t.co/dexpy4llba
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 8, 2025James Foley’s direction of Madonna’s music videos “Live to Tell,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” and “True Blue” and her film Who’s That Girl (1987) shaped 1980s pop culture, per Rolling Stone.
RIP James Foley (1953—2025) pic.twitter.com/lZJacr4t2X
— The Film Stage 📽 (@TheFilmStage) May 8, 2025Foley reached new heights with “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992), a film adaptation of David Mamet starring Al Pacino and Alec Baldwin, which is celebrated as a classic drama from the 1990s.
Foley also directed the sequels to Fifty Shades of Grey, “Darker” and “Freed,” which collectively earned over $750 million at the box office. Additionally, he directed twelve episodes of the television series House of Cards, along with episodes of Billions, “Hannibal,” and Wayward Pines.
