Award-winning director George Hickenlooper, cousin of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, was found dead Saturday morning in an Uptown Denver apartment where he was staying.
The Los Angeles-based filmmaker was in Denver for the screening of his latest film, scheduled to be shown Thursday at the Starz Denver Film Festival.
Residents of the apartment on East 22nd Avenue tried to wake George Hickenlooper about 8 a.m. but could not, Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.
He was 47 and appeared to have died from natural causes. The body was taken to the coroner and police were investigating the death, Jackson said.
“We don’t see anything indicating that foul play was involved. This is a standard death investigation,” he said.
George Hickenlooper’s latest film “Casino Jack” stars Kevin Spacey.
In an online statement on deadline.com, Spacey said he was shocked by Hickenlooper’s death.
“I can’t believe he’s gone because George was so alive, bubbling with energy, drive, commitment, an open heart and a brilliant sense of humor,” Spacey said. “He was one of a kind.”
Mayor Hickenlooper issued a statement about 3 p.m. Saturday.
“Shock and sadness do not begin to describe our emotions. We are devastated,” he said. “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.”
The Democratic candidate for governor attended two scheduled campaign events Saturday morning before handing off to running mate Joe Garcia.
Garcia will take over “while John takes time to mourn with his family,” campaign spokesman George Merritt said.
George Hickenlooper was born on May 25, 1963, in St. Louis. He graduated from Yale University in 1986. He won an Emmy in 1992 for his documentary “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse.” His other films include “The Mayor of Sunset Strip” in 2003.
When Denver hosted the Democratic National Convention in 2008, the cousins united, with George Hickenlooper following his cousin John around Denver to produce the documentary “Hick Town.”
George Hickenlooper is survived by his wife, Suzanne; son, Charles; a younger brother and his parents.
