The Hollywood community is mourning the loss of a beloved filmmaker.
Jean-Marc Vallée, who directed the first season of HBO's Big Little Lies, died "suddenly and unexpectedly" on Dec. 25 at his cabin outside Quebec City, Canada, his rep confirmed to E! News. He was 58.
"Jean-Marc stood for creativity, authenticity and trying things differently," his producing partner Nathan Ross said in a statement. "He was a true artist and a generous, loving guy. Everyone who worked with him couldn't help but see the talent and vision he possessed. He was a friend, creative partner and an older brother to me. The maestro will sorely be missed but it comforts knowing his beautiful style and impactful work he shared with the world will live on."
Vallée, who was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, studied filmmaking at the Université du Québec à Montréal. In 2005, Vallée's breakout film C.R.A.Z.Y., which he wrote, directed and co-produced, was released. In the years to follow, Vallée directed Emily Blunt's 2009 film The Young Victoria and Matthew McConaughey's Dallas Buyers Club. The 2013 film earned Vallée an Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Film Editing.
In 2014, Vallée teamed up with Reese Witherspoon for the film Wild. The duo would later collaborate again on HBO's Big Little Lies, for which Vallée won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special. He also executive produced the series.
"My heart is broken," Witherspoon tweeted on Dec. 27 after learning of Vallée's passing. "My friend. I love you."
Actress Shailene Woodley, who starred alongside Witherspoon in Big Little Lies, also paid tribute to the director on social media. "I am in shock," she wrote on her Instagram Story alongside a photo of Vallée. "Complete and utter shock. My f--king god death is the worst. But I guess somehow I know you will turn it into a grand adventure...one for the books. One I can wait to read & to watch when my time comes."
"It doesn't make sense though dude. It doesn't make sense," Woodley continued. "Maybe when we wake up tomorrow you'll be there laughing saying it was just a satirical short film you made. That it's not real."
After working with HBO on Big Little Lies, Vallée also collaborated with the network on the series Sharp Objects. The 2018 show, which starred Amy Adams, earned Vallée an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing.
Vallée is survived by his sons, Alex and Émile, as well as his siblings Marie-Josée Vallée, Stéphane Tousignant and Gérald Vallée.