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‘Still Alice’ writer-director Richard Glatzer dies at 63

In this image released by Sony Pictures Classics, actress Julianne Moore, left, and director Richard Glatzer appear on the set during the filming of "Still Alice." Glatzer died Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Los Angeles after a four-year battle with ALS. He was 63. (AP Photo/Sony Pictures Classics, JoJo Whilden) In this image released by Sony Pictures Classics, actress Julianne Moore, left, and director Richard Glatzer appear on the set during the filming of "Still Alice." Glatzer died Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Los Angeles after a four-year battle with ALS. He was 63. (AP Photo/Sony Pictures Classics, JoJo Whilden)

By Associated Press March 11, 2015 1 min read

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Richard Glatzer, who wrote and directed the Alzheimer’s drama “Still Alice” alongside his husband, Wash Westmoreland, while battling ALS, died Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 63.

Diagnosed in 2011 with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the pair took on the project of “Still Alice” in a very early stage of Glatzer’s disease. By the time of the press tour for the film in late 2014, Glatzer was only able to communicate by typing on an iPad with his big toe.

Julianne Moore won a best leading actress Oscar last month for playing the title role.

A New York native, Glatzer collaborated with Westmoreland on a number of films, including the 2006 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner “Quinceañera.”

In addition to Westmoreland, Glatzer is survived by his daughter, Ruby Smith, and his sister, Joan Kodner.