April 13th 2024.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of acclaimed director and beloved wife of Francis Ford Coppola, Eleanor Coppola. At the age of 87, she peacefully passed away surrounded by her family at her home in Rutherford, California. The news of her death was confirmed by her family in a statement released on Friday.
Eleanor, best known for her documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, was a talented filmmaker in her own right. Her husband Francis, who was also her high school sweetheart, first met her on the set of his directorial debut Dementia 13 in 1962. She was working as an assistant art director at the time, and their love story began to unfold amidst the low budget horror film.
The couple went on to have three children together, including Oscar-winning director Sofia Coppola. They were married for an incredible 60 years and remained a strong and loving team until the very end. Eleanor also wrote and directed two feature films, Paris Can Wait and Love Is Love Is Love, but her true passion was for documentaries.
She captured behind the scenes footage for her husband and daughter's films, including The Making of Marie Antoinette and The Music of Apocalypse Now. Eleanor was truly a behind the scenes genius, and her work will continue to be cherished by fans of the Coppola family.
Eleanor's journey to becoming a filmmaker began when she was raised by a single mother after her father passed away when she was just 10 years old. She went on to study at UCLA before joining Francis in Ireland for the filming of Dementia 13. During the production, she became pregnant with their first child, Gian-Carlo, and the couple opted for a spontaneous Las Vegas wedding in 1963.
Tragically, their son Gian-Carlo passed away at the age of 22 in a speed boat accident, leaving behind his pregnant fiancé. Despite this heartbreak, Eleanor and Francis remained united in their love and passion for filmmaking. She stepped away from directing for a few years to focus on being a mother, but returned to the industry while on the set of Apocalypse Now, her husband's acclaimed Vietnam War film.
The chaos and challenges on set, including Martin Sheen's heart attack and a typhoon destroying sets, inspired her to create the behind the scenes documentary Heart of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse. Looking back, Eleanor never intended to make a documentary, but the experience turned out to be a life-changing one for her.
Throughout her career, Eleanor continued to work alongside her husband on many projects, as well as with her daughter Sofia, who is also a talented director. Francis, a five-time Oscar winner, is known for directing iconic films such as The Godfather trilogy, The Rainmaker, and the upcoming 2024 release of Megalopolis.
When asked if her husband was any different on set compared to being at home with the family, Eleanor replied with a laugh, "No. I think because he spent his life as a director, it's just in his nature. It's in his blood. He is always directing." She fondly recalled how even at home, Francis would direct everything from dinner plans to seating arrangements. But she had learned to adapt and found it funny now.
Eleanor's passing is a great loss to the film industry and to her family. She will be remembered as a talented filmmaker, a loving wife and mother, and a true behind the scenes master. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.
If you have a celebrity story or any memories of Eleanor Coppola, please get in touch with our entertainment team. You can email us, call us, or visit our Submit Stuff page. We would love to hear from you.
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