Baz Luhrmann, director of the 2022 film Elvis, has spoken out on the recent death of Lisa Marie Presley, who unexpectedly passed away yesterday due to cardiac arrest. Luhrmann, who had grown close with the real-life Preselys during the filming of his biopic starring Austin Butler as the King of Rock and Roll, published a grief-filled message for Lisa Marie Presley on his Instagram earlier today, stating that the world will miss her “warmth, smile, and love”.
Lisa Marie Presley, 54, died yesterday, January 12th, 2023, after paramedics responded to her California home due to a possible cardiac arrest. Lisa Marie was reportedly hospitalized and in critical condition before her death. Still, her mother Priscilla announced her passing later that same afternoon, calling Lisa Marie “the most passionate, strong, and loving woman I have ever known,” and asking for privacy for her family. Many of Lisa Marie’s other loved ones have also spoken out in the last day, including her ex-husband Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, Leah Remini, LeAnn Rime, T.J. Jackson – nephew of her ex-husband Micheal Jackson – and more.
Baz Luhrmann, Director of ‘Elvis’, Shares Message of Grief
Elvis director Baz Luhrmann was with Lisa Marie only two days before her death, when they both attended the Golden Globes Awards where Austin Butler was awarded with the Best Actor – Drama award for his role as the leading man in Elvis. Only a few days before that, on January 8th, Lisa Marie Presley, Luhrmann, and the rest of the Elvis team were reportedly gathered at a Warner Bros event to celebrate what would have been her father’s 88th birthday, according to Deadline.
In an Instagram post earlier today, Baz Luhrmann expressed that he and the Presley family had become close over the last year during the filming of Elvis.
“Over the last year, the entire Elvis movie family and I have felt the privilege of Lisa Marie’s kind embrace,” he wrote. “Her sudden, shocking loss has devastated people all around the world. I know her fans everywhere join me in sharing prayers of love and support with her mother, Priscilla, and her wonderful daughters Riley, Finley and Harper. Lisa Marie, we will miss your warmth, your smile, your love.”
Along with Luhrmann, Warner Bros – the studio behind Elvis – shared a similar sentiment, calling Lisa Marie Presley “an invaluable partner and truly lovely person whom we will remember as a devoted mother, beloved daughter, and loving friend.”
Lisa Marie Presley was laid to rest at Graceland beside her father and her son Benjamin who passed away last year. She is survived by her daughter, Riley Keough, and her twins, Harper Vivienne and Finley.