Director Chuck Russell, who directed *The Mask* and *A Nightmare on Elm Street 3*, has died
This has been reported by TMZ.
What is known about the director’s death
According to the publication, on 22 July, the emergency services were called to Russell’s home in San Diego (California) following reports that he had lost consciousness. His relatives and lawyer later confirmed the director’s death. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
The films that made him famous
Over more than four decades in the film industry, Chuck Russell created a number of films that left their mark on American cinema. These include *A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors*, *The Blob*, *Rubber*, *The Mask* and *The Scorpion King*.
It was *The Mask* that brought the director his greatest success. According to *The Guardian*, the film adaptation of the comic book of the same name was originally planned as a horror film. However, Russell suggested changing the concept to a comedy, and the studio backed the idea.
As a result, the film, which cost around $18 million to produce, grossed over $350 million at the global box office. It also marked a breakthrough for Jim Carrey and was Cameron Diaz’s first major role.
Recent works
Another of the director’s landmark films was *The Scorpion King*, in which Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson starred in his first leading role in a feature film. Chuck Russell’s most recent directorial effort was *Witchboard*, released in 2024.
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