James Foley, Director of FIFTY SHADES Sequels and GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, Dies at 71

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
By
James Foley, Director of FIFTY SHADES Sequels and GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, Dies at 71
James Foley
Written By : Ekow Adjei Mensah 


James Foley, the acclaimed filmmaker behind FIFTY SHADES DARKER and FIFTY SHADES FREED, passed away peacefully in his sleep earlier this week at age 71, following a years-long battle with brain cancer, his representative confirmed. Born on December 28, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, Foley’s diverse career spanned over three decades, encompassing film, television, and music videos. 

His work on the FIFTY SHADES sequels, which grossed a combined $714 million worldwide, marked his commercial peak, showcasing his ability to navigate complex power dynamics and emotional narratives, as he noted in a 2017 in an interview. Foley’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes, with fans celebrating his contributions to cinema, particularly his work on the erotic romance trilogy starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.

Foley’s career began with his 1984 directorial debut RECKLESS, but he gained critical acclaim with GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (1992), a David Mamet adaptation that earned Al Pacino an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe. His versatility shone through in projects like AT CLOSE RANGE (1986) with Sean Penn and FEAR (1996) starring Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon, as well as television work, including 12 episodes of HOUSE OF CARDS.

Foley’s early collaboration with Madonna, directing iconic music videos like LIVE TO TELL and PAPA DON’T PREACH under the pseudonym Peter Percher, fortified his pop culture influence. He also served as best man at Madonna’s 1985 wedding to Penn, though they later fell out of touch. His ability to fluidly move between genres, as he described in a 2017 interview, defined his legacy as a director who resisted being pigeonholed.

The FIFTY SHADES sequels, Foley’s final films, were a polarizing yet undeniable success, with fans expressing gratitude for his vision in bringing E.L. James’ novels to life. Despite mixed reviews, the films’ box office triumphs underscored Foley’s knack for crafting visually seductive fantasies, a quality he believed required the big screen’s expansiveness, as opposed to VOD, to fully captivate audiences. 

Survived by his brother Kevin, sisters Eileen and Jo Ann, and nephew Quinn, Foley leaves behind a legacy of bold storytelling. His representative, Florent Lamy, called him a “dear friend” and a “talented director,” a sentiment echoed across the industry. As tributes continue to pour in, Foley’s work remains a demonstration of his fearless exploration of human relationships and cinematic excess.

Comments

MORE FROM
music

More From 3Music News

Fantana Opens Up About Reality TV Fame from Young, Famous, and African
music | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | June 18th, 2025

Fantana Opens Up About Reality TV Fame from Young, Famous, and African

Ghanaian musician Fantana, in a candid virtual interview on 3Music TV’s Culture Daily Morning Show with host Lerny Lomotey, shared how her appearance on Netflix’s Young, Famous, and African catapulted her into global recognition.

Fantana Reflects on Lessons Learned from Diamond Platnumz
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | June 18th, 2025

Fantana Reflects on Lessons Learned from Diamond Platnumz

Ghanaian musician Fantana, during a revealing interview on 3Music TV’s Big Conversation with Lerny Lomotey, offered a glimpse into her dynamic with Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz, her co-star on Netflix’s Young, Famous, and African.

Fantana Balances Music and Business Ventures in Ghana with Strategic Focus
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | BY Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah | June 18th, 2025

Fantana Balances Music and Business Ventures in Ghana with Strategic Focus

Ghanaian musician and reality TV star Fantana, recently back in Ghana after two months in America, is skillfully managing her music career alongside her entrepreneurial pursuits. During a virtual interview on 3Music TV’s Big Conversation with Lerny Lomotey, she shared plans to return to music after a two-year hiatus.

Camouflart Hosts Live Wednesday At The Woods To Showcase Emerging Talent
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

Camouflart Hosts Live Wednesday At The Woods To Showcase Emerging Talent

Live Wednesday at The Woods, a vibrant live music experience curated by Camouflart and powered by The Woods Bar and Lounge in Osu, comes alive tonight, June 18th, 2025

Amaarae Confirmed For Afro Nation Portugal 2025 Lineup
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

Amaarae Confirmed For Afro Nation Portugal 2025 Lineup

Accra-born, Bronx-raised alté singer Amaarae is set to grace the shores of Praia da Rocha this July, following her recent inclusion in the Afro Nation Portugal 2025 lineup (July 9–11)

AD DJ Makes History as First Ghanaian Resident DJ for Basketball Africa League
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | sports | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

AD DJ Makes History as First Ghanaian Resident DJ for Basketball Africa League

AD DJ is doing more than spinning records, he’s spinning history. In a groundbreaking moment for Ghanaian music and African sports culture, AD DJ has become the first Ghanaian to serve as the official resident DJ for the Basketball Africa League

R. Kelly Hospitalized After Alleged Overdose in Prison; Lawyers Allege Plot to Kill Him
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

R. Kelly Hospitalized After Alleged Overdose in Prison; Lawyers Allege Plot to Kill Him

R&B singer R. Kelly was rushed to Duke University Hospital on June 13th after collapsing in his cell at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, following what his legal team describes as a “near-lethal” overdose of medication administered by prison staff while he was in solitary confinement

Ghanaian Culinary Star Chef Abbys Shines at 2025 Cannes Lions Festival
entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

Ghanaian Culinary Star Chef Abbys Shines at 2025 Cannes Lions Festival

Ghana’s culinary scene just scored a major international win, as leading food content creator Chef Abbys was flown to France by TikTok to attend the prestigious 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

Tyler Perry Sued for $260 Million by Actor Derek Dixon Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

Tyler Perry Sued for $260 Million by Actor Derek Dixon Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Famed filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by The Oval actor Derek Dixon, who accuses Perry of workplace sexual harassment, assault, emotional distress, and career retaliation

SZA Reflects on Fame, Confidence, and Finding Authenticity in Interview with Chappell Roan
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

SZA Reflects on Fame, Confidence, and Finding Authenticity in Interview with Chappell Roan

In a candid new conversation with rising pop star Chappell Roan for Interview Magazine, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter SZA opened up about the complexities of fame, confidence, and staying true to herself in an industry that often rewards inauthenticity

Davido’s WITH YOU Music Video Surpasses 2.6 Million Views in Just Two Days
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

Davido’s WITH YOU Music Video Surpasses 2.6 Million Views in Just Two Days

Afrobeats superstar Davido continues to prove his dominance on the global music scene as the official music video for his latest single WITH YOU racks up over 2.6million views in just two days

Davido Announces 5IVE ALIVE TOUR with Victony, Odumodublvck, and Morravey
music | entertainment | fashion & lifestyle | culture | BY Aimee Cherry Quartey | June 18th, 2025

Davido Announces 5IVE ALIVE TOUR with Victony, Odumodublvck, and Morravey

Afrobeats superstar Davido is officially hitting the road this summer with his newly announced 5IVE ALIVE TOUR, set to deliver an electrifying series of performances across the globe

More Similar Videos

No similar videos to show related to this post. Explore other sections.