Norman Jewison — the director known for ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and other hits — has died.The famed filmmaker passed away peacefully at home Saturday — this according to his team. An exact cause of death wasn’t provided.
The frequent Oscar nominee and Toronto native was known for stirring up controversy with his introspective films, addressing civil rights issues and religion in works such as In the Heat of the Night and the film adaptations of Fiddler on the Roof and Jesus Christ Superstar.
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While his biggest claim to fame is, perhaps, the 1973 musical — adapted from the famed Broadway play — Norman has tons of notable films under his directorial belt from over the years … including ‘Moonstruck,’ ‘In the Heat of the Night’ and ‘The Hurricane,’ just to name a few.

Generous with up-and-coming directors

Jewison directed and produced over 40 films and television shows during his career, including the original version of The Thomas Crown Affair, The Cincinnati Kid, A Soldier’s Story, Moonstruck and The Hurricane. He also co-wrote the screenplay for Jesus Christ Superstar.

Fellow Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan said seeing Jesus Christ Superstar while growing up in Victoria was an experience that “changed my life.”

During an interview on CBC News Network’s Canada Tonight, he shared how he exchanged notes with Jewison about his love for the 1973 film, an adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical.

Egoyan, the writer-director of films including Exotica and the Oscar-nominated The Sweet Hereafter, recalled Jewison’s generosity with up-and-coming filmmakers.

“No matter how many awards he was getting, or how much attention he got, or how successful his films were, he was always there to support others,” he told Canada Tonight host Travis Dhanraj.