George Hickenlooper

Delve into the biography of George Hickenlooper (1963–2010), the American filmmaker known for Hearts of Darkness, Factory Girl, Casino Jack, and his blending of documentary and narrative cinema.

Introduction

George Loening Hickenlooper III (May 25, 1963 – October 29, 2010) was an American film director, producer, and writer whose work spanned documentaries and narrative films. He is perhaps best known for Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse, his behind-the-scenes chronicle of the making of Apocalypse Now, which earned him an Emmy. Over his career he explored complex personalities, cultural icons, and the tensions between artistry and commerce.

Early Life and Family

George Hickenlooper was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 25, 1963. Barbara Jo Wenger, was a social worker and stage actress; his father, George Loening Hickenlooper Jr., was a teacher and playwright.

He came from an artistic milieu. Through his extended family he had connections to the musical world: one of his great-aunts was the pianist Olga Samaroff (born Lucy Mary Agnes Hickenlooper), who was married to the conductor Leopold Stokowski.

He spent parts of his youth in St. Louis, Boston, and San Francisco.

In high school, he attended St. Louis University High, where he and a group of peers—later nicknamed the “Splicers”—made short films together. Among that group was James Gunn, who later became a prominent Hollywood filmmaker.

Education & Early Influences

Hickenlooper went on to Yale University, graduating in 1986 with a degree in History and Film Studies. Roger Corman, a well-known mentor to many independent filmmakers.

His interest in filmmaking dated to childhood; he reportedly experimented with an 8mm camera and absorbed influences from his family's artistic leanings.

Career & Major Works

Hickenlooper worked across both documentary and narrative film, sometimes moving fluidly between the two modes.

Documentary Success: Hearts of Darkness

One of his earliest and most lauded works was Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991). This documentary chronicled the troubled behind-the-scenes production of Apocalypse Now, capturing personalities, conflicts, and the scale of ambition and chaos.

The documentary won multiple awards, including two Emmys (for directing and picture editing) and recognition from the National Board of Review and the International Documentary Association.

This success helped establish Hickenlooper’s reputation and opened doors for feature filmmaking.

Feature Films & Narrative Projects

Over the years, Hickenlooper directed several feature films and documentaries, some of the more notable being:

• The Man from Elysian Fields (2001)

• Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003) — a documentary about rock music and culture.

• Factory Girl (2006) — a biopic of Edie Sedgwick and her relationship with Andy Warhol.

• Casino Jack (2010) — his final film, released after his death, about the lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

He also directed shorter documentary works such as Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas.

His efforts often gravitated toward examining ambitious, flawed characters and the tension between idealism and reality.

He also published a book in 1991, Reel Conversations, which contained interviews and reflections on cinema.

Personal Life

George Hickenlooper was married to Suzanne Hickenlooper, and they had one child.

He was related to John Hickenlooper, the American politician (former mayor of Denver, governor of Colorado, and U.S. senator). They were cousins.

Death & Posthumous Recognition

George Hickenlooper died in Denver, Colorado, on October 29, 2010 (though some sources initially reported October 30). Casino Jack was being screened at the Denver Film Festival.

Initially reported as a heart attack, the coroner later ruled it an accidental overdose involving a combination of the painkiller oxymorphone and alcohol; contributory factors included sleep apnea and an enlarged heart.

Despite his early passing, Hickenlooper’s body of work continues to be studied for its bold subject choices and cinematic honesty.

Legacy & Influence

• Hickenlooper’s blending of documentary realism with narrative storytelling inspired filmmakers to cross boundaries between factual and fictional modes.

• Hearts of Darkness remains a landmark in “making-of” cinema and is often cited in courses on film production and documentary studies.

• His films frequently explored the darker aspects of fame, ambition, power, and the fragility behind public personas.

• Though not as commercially prolific as some of his peers, his work retains a cult appreciation, especially among cinephiles and independent cinema communities.

• His willingness to tackle controversial subject matter and complicated characters continues to influence directors seeking to portray moral ambiguity.