R.I.P.: George Hickenlooper

Wow, out of nowhere:

George Hickenlooper, a filmmaker and cousin of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, was found dead in Denver this morning. He was 47.

George Hickenlooper was in Denver for the upcoming premiere of his latest film, “Casino Jack,” at the Starz Denver Film Festival.

John Hickenlooper has a bit part in his cousin’s latest movie, and the pair were scheduled to attend the premiere together Thursday night at the film festival. “Casino Jack” features Kevin Spacey as disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

“Shock and sadness do not begin to describe our emotions. We are devastated,” John Hickenlooper said in a statement. “George had immense creative talents and cinematic gifts, but he was so much more than that to us and all his family. His passion for life, zeal for people and unquenchable curiosity enriched everyone who had the fortune to know him. We will miss his sense of humor, his warm character and the avid encouragement he gave anyone around him. Our hearts go out to his wife, Suzanne, and his son, Charles.”

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George Hickenlooper was born on May 25, 1963, in St. Louis, Mo. He graduated from Yale University in 1986 and went on to produce film’s that included 1991’s “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmakers Apocalypse,” about the making of “Apocalypse Now” and “The Mayor of Sunset Strip,” in 2003.

Horrible news.

Godspeed, George Hickenlooper.

UPDATE: I found a few interviews with Hickenlooper on his recent PR tour for the movie Casino Jack.

The movie’s trailer:

UPDATE #2: Some remembrances of Hickenlooper starting to appear. 

Steven Zeitchik (24 Frames)

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