‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Director James Foley Dies At 71

May 9, 2025: Renowned American filmmaker James Foley, best known for directing Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018), passed away earlier this week at the age of 71 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. His death was confirmed by a representative, who stated that he died peacefully in his sleep.

Foley’s impressive career spanned over several decades, with a diverse portfolio that included feature films, television series, and music videos. He made his directorial debut in 1984 with Reckless, starring Aidan Quinn and Daryl Hannah. His early success extended to the music video world, where he worked with pop icon Madonna in the mid-1980s. Foley directed music videos for Madonna’s chart-topping hits, including Papa Don’t Preach, Live to Tell, and True Blue.

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In the 1990s and 2000s, Foley cemented his reputation in the film industry with a range of notable projects, including the acclaimed Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), a film adaptation of David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, starring Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin. He also directed the psychological thriller Fear (1996), which starred Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon, and The Corruptor (1999), a gritty crime drama featuring Chow Yun-fat and Mark Wahlberg.

More recently, Foley gained significant attention for helming the Fifty Shades sequels, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, both of which starred Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. His directorial work in the Fifty Shades series earned him a dedicated following, particularly among fans of the romantic thriller genre.

In addition to his work in film, Foley also directed several television projects, including 12 episodes of the critically acclaimed Netflix series House of Cards, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. His television work helped solidify his versatility as a filmmaker across different mediums.

Foley also directed Confidence (2003), a crime drama starring Edward Burns, Dustin Hoffman, and Rachel Weisz, as well as the psychological thriller Perfect Stranger (2007), starring Halle Berry and Bruce Willis.

He is survived by his brother, Kevin Foley, sisters Eileen and Jo Ann Foley, and his nephew Quinn Foley. He was predeceased by his brother, Gerard Foley.

James Foley’s passing marks the end of a remarkable career, and his contributions to film, television, and music videos will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.