Glatzer developed the movie Still Alice with his husband Wash Westmoreland shortly after he was diagnosed with the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, alternatively called motor neuron disease.) By the time of the Academy Awards ceremony, Glatzer’s illness had progressed to the extent that he was too ill to attend the ceremony. This month the illness progressed further and he passed away on March 10, as Hollywood Reporter notes.
Richard Glatzer was born in New York in 1952. He progressed into television and worked on shows like Divorce Court, The Osbournes, and America’s Next Top Model. His first movie was the low-key Grief, and from here he went on to make a series of independent movies in collaboration with Westmoreland.
Although the movies were well received, success came with 2014’s Still Alice. The movie was an adaptation based on a book written by Lisa Genova. The premise is the story of a 50-year-old linguistics professor who develops early onset Alzheimer’s disease. The movie drew in big name actors in the form of Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin and Kristen Stewart. The BBC describes how the movie continues to be well received, particularly in Europe were it has only recently been released.
The extent to which Glatzer illness informed the movie is debatable. However some critics have suggested that there was a connection between Glatzer’s own battle with illness and the raw, honest depiction of illness in the movie.
Quoted by The Independent, Glatzer’s husband Westmoreland said: “I am devastated. Rich was my soulmate, my collaborator, my best friend and my life. eeing him battle ALS for four years with such grace and courage inspired me and all who knew him.” he also added: “In this dark time, I take some consolation in the fact that he got to see Still Alice go out into the world. He put his heart and soul into that film, and the fact that it touched so many people was a constant joy to him.”
Adding to the tributes, Oscar winner Julianne Moore simply tweeted: “I love you Richard.”
