Remembering Brian Lindstrom: Celebrated Documentarian Passes Away at 65
Documentarian Brian Lindstrom, known for directing and producing Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill, passed away at the age of 65 on Monday morning. His wife, acclaimed author Cheryl Strayed, shared the news via Instagram.
“Brian Lindstrom died this morning the way he lived—with gentleness and courage, grace and gratitude for his beautiful life,” Strayed wrote. “Our children, Carver and Bobbi, and I held him as he took his last breath, and we will hold him forever in our hearts. The only thing more immense than our sorrow that Progressive Supranuclear Palsy took our beloved Brian from us is the endless love we have for him.”
In her tribute, Strayed reflected on their partnership of over thirty years, emphasizing their deep devotion to each other and their children. “He was a stellar husband. He was the most magnificent dad. He was a man whose every word and deed was driven by kindness, compassion, and generosity,” she noted. “He saw the goodness in everyone. He believed that we are all sacred and redeemable.”
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Strayed highlighted Lindstrom’s commitment to illuminating the lives of those marginalized by society through his films. “He erased that X with his camera and his astonishing heart. He made films about incarcerated moms and their kids, about people with mental illness and substance use disorders, about teens living in homeless shelters, foster care, and detention centers, about people who were at the bottom and trying to climb up,” she said.
His directorial credits include Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse, which he also co-wrote and produced, along with the shorts Mothering Inside and Community Acupuncture: The Calmest Revolution Ever Staged.
Strayed emphasized Lindstrom’s profound impact: “He showed them to us so we’d see what he saw: that every one of us is deserving of love and respect; mercy and honor. Again and again, he went to the darkness to show us how much light is there. He was of service. He spoke truth to power.” She noted that his films created change, stating, “They saved programs and people; changed lives, policies, and minds. They made people feel seen, heard, and believed. They softened the world with their empathy.”
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by mobility and balance issues and can impact eye movements. The disease progresses rapidly due to damage to nerve cells in the brain responsible for thinking and motor skills.
Last month, Strayed revealed that Lindstrom had been diagnosed with “a serious, fatal illness.”
In closing, Strayed remarked, “His greatest legacy is Carver and Bobbi, who embody everything good and true about their father. Their extraordinary grace, courage, and fortitude during this harrowing time was unfaltering.” She reflected on the challenges ahead, stating, “We do not know how we will live without him. We’re utterly bereft. We can only walk this dark path and search for the beauty Brian knew was there. It will be his eternal light that guides us.”
