James Foley dead: Director behind Fifty Shades & Netflix show dies aged 71 after cancer battle as family pay tribute

THE director of the Fifty Shades Of Grey franchise James Foley has died aged 71.

The American filmmaker, known for his work on Glengarry Glen Ross and Netflix series House of Cards, died after he was diagnosed with brain cancer last year.

3

3

3

A representative confirmed that Foley died peacefully in his sleep earlier this week.

The renowned director also worked on Fear and The Corrupter.

Foley was born on December 28, 1953 in Brooklyn.

His directorial debut was made in 1984 with Reckless, before the talented icon worked on a range of television shows, movies and pop music videos.

In 1986 he directed music videos for Madonna - including for the hit songs Papa Don't Preach, Live To Tell and True Blue.

His work on crime drama At Close Range was better received than his debut.

The show starred Sean Penn and Christopher Walken, with the former being married to Madonna.

Foley was the best man for Penn at his wedding.

But he is best known for his work on the erotic romance film series Fifty Shades.

He directed two out of three of the romance thriller film trilogy - Fifty Shades Darker (2017) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018).

The box office hits starred Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.

Foley directed 12 episodes of hit Netflix show House Of Cards starring Kate Mara and now-disgraced Kevin Spacey.

In the 1990s, he also directed an episode of Twin Peaks.

The filmmaker worked with Edward Burns, Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz on the 2003 film Confidence.

The film follows Jake Vig, played by Burns, a grifter whose plan to avenge his friend's murder goes wrong - leaving him indebted to a mob boss.

He also directed the psychological thriller Perfect Stranger which stars Halle Berry as a journalist.

Her character goes undercover to investigate businessman Harrison Hill, played by Bruce Willis.

James Foley is survived by his brother, Kevin Foley, sisters Eileen and Jo Ann Foley, and his nephew Quinn Foley.

More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun