Joel Schumacher, director of The Lost Boys and so much more, has died

Joel Schumacher, director of St. Elmo’s Fire, The Lost Boys, Falling Down, Tigerland and two Batman films, died from cancer on Monday morning in New York City. He was 80

He directed many films of different genres – St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), The Lost Boys (1987), Flatliners (1990), Falling Down (1993), The Client (1994), Batman Forever (1995), A Time to Kill (1996), Batman & Robin (1997), 8mm (1999), Tigerland (2000), Phone Booth (2002), The Phantom of the Opera (2004), The Number 23 (2007).

Falling Down and 8mm competed for the Palme d’Or and Golden Bear.

His film directorial debut was The Incredible Shrinking Woman in 1981, which starred Lily Tomlin

He started as a costume designer on films such as 1972’s Play It as It Lays, Herbert Ross’ The Last of Sheila (1973), Paul Mazursky’s Blume in Love (1973), Woody Allen’s Sleeper (1973) and Interiors (1978) and 1975 Neil Simon adaptation The Prisoner of Second Avenue.

He also started to write screenplays, including 1976’s Sparkle, 1978 hit Car Wash and the adaptation for 1978 musical The Wiz.

He also helped several actors including Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, and Matthew McConaughey advance their careers.

He was a legend and brought us many incredible films.

Photo by Warner Bros