Ralph Hemecker, the director known for his work on iconic media like Blue Bloods and The Flash, has died. As reported by Deadline, he was 65 years old.
His family confirmed in a statement to the outlet that he passed away in his Glendale, California home on July 10. His cause of death was not disclosed, and remains private. No other details have currently been released surrounding his tragic passing.
Hemecker worked in the film industry for more than 30 years. He had gotten into filmmaking after graduating from Bucknell University. He began his long and storied career filming re-enactments of real life crimes for Fox's America's Most Wanted.
But his TV directing stint started with TNT's TV series spin-off ofWitchblade, where he was given the showrunner, executive producer, and writer from 2001 to 2003.
From then, he directed many different TV shows and movies. These included The X-Files, Millennium, Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, The Vampire Diaries, Nikita, The Flash, and Once Upon a Time.
Hemecker is survived by his father, his sister, and his brother, as well as his two step-daughters, three nephews, one niece, and one great-nephew.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Hemecker's family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to the SEAL Future Foundation in his memory.
This is because "Hemecker admired the Navy SEALs' courage, discipline, resilience and commitment to service, and he was inspired by their leadership principles."
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Tributes Have Poured in for the 'Blue Bloods' Director
Tributes have poured in for the Blue Bloods director from fans and stars alike.
Once Upon a Time actress Lana Parrilla gave a touching tribute to the director on social media. "Some losses are impossible to put into words," she wrote.
"Ralph Hemecker was one of the kindest, most generous souls I've ever known. One of Once Upon a Time's defining directors. A truly passionate, beautiful man, and my dear friend... We always knew if Ralph was directing, we were in good hands."
Fans also filled the comment section with tributes to the director. "Ralph was a legend, a force," one wrote, with another lamenting, "The people we love never leave in just one way, they remain in the parts of us they helped shape."
Rest in peace to a legend.
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