Mary Cybulski, ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘Life of Pi’ Script Supervisor, Dies at 70

Mary Cybulski, a script supervisor and still photographer whose credits included “Synecdoche, New York,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Life of Pi,” has died after four years living with glioblastoma multiforme. She was 70.

Per the Mayo Clinic, gliobastoma is a cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord. There is no cure.

Cybulski collaborated with various directors throughout her career, working on over forty features for such filmmakers as Stephen Frears, David Mamet, Jodie Foster, Jane Campion, M. Night Shyamalan, Tony Gilroy, Nancy Savoca and John Sayles.

“As the script supervisor on ‘Synecdoche, New York,’ Mary was the calm, clear presence at the center of a confusing storm of warehouses within warehouses and characters playing actors playing characters,” Charlie Kaufman wrote in a statement. “There was always a crowd of crew and cast around her asking, ‘What the hell is going on?’ Mary even made an extraordinarily detailed map of the Matryoshka warehouses to guide us. At the end of production, she drew the map on a t-shirt for me. Mary helped me so much. She was brilliant and kind and I loved her.” 

 “On the set of ‘The Ice Storm,’ I felt she was mothering the whole thing,” Ang Lee said. “She’s like mother/courage, providing warmth and courage. I totally understand why she was a downhill ski racer. She’s a daredevil. So she’s two things together, warmth and courage, and, of course, talent.”

Born in Michigan, Cybulski attended the University of Michigan, where she was a competitive skier and began working in the arts. During college, she began to collaborate on various experimental films with editor and filmmaker John Tintori, who she later married. 

While working as a script supervisor, Cybulski oversaw films such as “Maid in Manhattan,” “Lady in the Water,” “Syriana,” “Michael Clayton” and “Life of Pi.” She directed one film, “Chicago Cab” with her husband, and worked to mentor young filmmakers starting out their careers. 

In 2010, she switched positions to become a still photographer, working alongside directors such as Martin Scorsese, Todd Haynes, Terrence Malick, Stephen Soderbergh, Jim Jarmusch and Judd Apatow. 

Cybulski is survived by her husband; her son, Ray; and her daughter, Sophie.