Jim Carrey has paid tribute to The Mask director Chuck Russell following his death on Wednesday, July 22, aged 74.
The actor, who played timid bank teller Stanley Ipkiss, who discovers an enchanted mask that transforms him into a green-faced troublemaker with cartoonish superpowers, called working on the 1994 movie with Chuck a “jewel” of his creative life.
“I consider it a privilege to have worked with Chuck Russell, who during the shooting of The Mask, created an ebullient, childlike atmosphere of wonder and camaraderie on his set,” Jim said in a statement.
“The entire cast and crew were touched and inspired by his playfulness. Every one of us has been many years blessed by that buoyant and timeless moment.”
He added: “I consider The Mask one of the jewels of my creative life. Thank you, Chuck.”
How did Chuck Russell die?
The late director died unexpectedly at his home in the San Diego area, his family confirmed to TMZ, which was first to report the news.
The outlet claimed that the local fire department was called to Chuck’s home Wednesday afternoon following reports of a medical emergency involving an unconscious male.
His attorney confirmed his death to Variety; however, his cause of death is not yet known, but his family is believed to be flying to California for answers.
Inside Chuck’s illustrious Hollywood career
© Getty ImagesChuck began his career as a screenwriter, production manager, and assistant director on independent films after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
He made his directorial debut on 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, which he also wrote.
The film grossed more than the first two installments and launched Patricia Arquette‘s career. Chuck followed up with 1988’s remake of cult horror The Blob.
© Getty ImagesChuck’s Hollywood success came with The Mask, which propelled Jim to superstardom and marked Cameron Diaz‘s debut before she became a global star. It even earned an Oscar nomination for visual effects.
The film was a box office success and earned more than $350 million on an $18 million budget, but if the film studio had its way, it could have been a very different movie.
“New Line wanted another shocking horror film,” Chuck told Variety in 2024. “There was a comic book of The Mask that was quite terrifying. I said it’s going to be too much like Freddy Krueger. It’s going to be horrible.”
© Getty ImagesFollowing The Mask, Chuck worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1996’s Eraser, Kim Basinger and Christina Ricci in 2000 horror Bless the Child, and directed 2002’s The Scorpion King, which marked Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson‘s first leading role.
Chuck took a hiatus for several years but returned to direct 2016’s I Am Wrath starring John Travolta, and 2022’s Paradise City with John and Bruce Willis.
In 2024, he released his final film, a remake of the 1986 horror Witchboard.
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