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Still Alice Director Dies Of Lou Gehrig's Disease

Still Alice Director Dies Of Lou Gehrig's Disease

Richard Glatzer, who co-wrote and directed the Alzheimer's drama Still Alice while battling ALS, has died in Los Angeles aged 63.

Glatzer, who was diagnosed in 2011 with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, worked on the movie alongside his husband, Wash Westmoreland.

During the 23-day shoot, Glatzer communicated with one finger using a text-to-speech app on his iPad. By the time of the press tour for the film in late 2014, Glatzer was only able to communicate by typing on the device with his big toe.

Their film earned star Julianne Moore her first Oscar for her portrayal of an academic suffering from early onset Alzheimer's.

Unable to attend the ceremony, Glatzer watched Moore's win last month from a hospital, where he had been taken two days prior for respiratory problems.

"I am devastated. Rich was my soul mate, my collaborator, my best friend and my life," Mr Westmoreland said in a statement.

He added that he takes consolation from the fact that Glatzer saw Still Alice delivered to the world.

A New York native, Glatzer started his career in academia, earning a doctorate in English from the University of Virginia before turning his attention to film and television.

He worked on a number of television shows including America's Next Top Model.