Director Chuck Russell, known for helming popular films such as "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" and "The Mask," has died at the age of 74. His family confirmed his passing at his San Diego-area home on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Russell, born in May 1958, made his directorial debut with "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" in 1987. This was followed by his remake of "The Blob" in 1988. He later collaborated with Jim Carrey for the 1994 comedy "The Mask," which received an Oscar nomination for its score at the 67th Academy Awards in 1995.
His other directorial credits include "Eraser" (1996), "Bless the Child" (2000), and "The Scorpion King" (2002), which marked Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's big-screen debut. Russell's later projects included "Fringe" in 2010, "I Am Wrath" in 2016, and the films "Junglee" (2019), "Paradise City" (2022), and "Witchboard" (2024).
Fans have shared tributes on social media, remembering Russell's contributions to cinema.