According to CNN, television director and independent filmmaker Lynn Shelton died from blood disorder early Saturday morning in Los Angeles. Her partner, comedian and actor Marc Maron, said Shelton collapsed Friday after having been ill for a week. He told Today that “There was a previously unknown, underlying condition,” he said. “The doctors could not save her. They tried. Hard.”
Shelton was born in Oberlin, Ohio and grew up in Seattle. She attended Oberlin College in Ohio and then the University of Washington School of Drama, before moving to New York to enroll in the Master’s of Fine Arts program in photography and related media at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. First starting as an editor, Shelton started writing and directing low-budget indie films, beginning with 2006’s We Go Way Back. Her films include Touchy Feely (2013) and Sword of Trust (2019). Shelton later took a liking into directing TV series such as Mad Men (2007) and the Mindy Project (2012).
The director was known serio-comic storylines picturing strong female characters and heart-warming relationships. Shelton was recently executive producing and directing several episodes of Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere, starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. Respected as a writer for independent films, Shelton won the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and Gijon International Film Festival with Humpday (2009). According to Variety, she was considered for a director position for Marvel movie Black Widow but Shelton often stayed away from the spotlight.
Mindy Kaling (The Office), Judd Apatow (This is 40) and Mark Duplass (Creep) among other celebrities paid their respects on social media regarding the tragic loss. “We lost our dear friend Lynn Shelton,” said Duplass, “We made so many things together. I wish we had made more. Her boundless creative energy and infectious spirit were unrivaled. She made me better. We butted heads, made up, laughed, pushed each other. Like family. What a deep loss.”
Shelton is survived by her parents Wendy & Alan Roedell and by her brothers and sister David Shelton, Robert Rynd and Tanya Rynd.