Jim Carrey is remembering one of his former directors.
The actor and comedian paid tribute to âThe Maskâ director Chuck Russell after the filmmakerâs death Wednesday at the age of 74.
âI consider it a privilege to have worked with Chuck Russell, who during the shooting of âThe Mask,â created an ebullient, childlike atmosphere of wonder and camaraderie on his set,â Carrey said in a statement obtained by Page Six.
âThe entire cast and crew were touched and inspired by his playfulness,â he continued. âEvery one of us has been many years blessed by that buoyant and timeless moment.â
Carrey concluded his statement by thanking Russell and saying he considers âThe Maskâ to be âone of the jewels of [his] creative life.â
Russell died June 22 in San Diego, his wife Ania confirmed to the New York Times.
He is known for directing âA Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriorsâ (1987), âThe Blobâ (1988), âEraserâ (1996) and âThe Scorpion Kingâ (2002).
For his most recent work, 2024âs âWitchboard,â he served as the writer, director and producer.
âThe Mask,â which was released in 1994, was a memorable hit for Carrey, releasing the same year he also starred in âAce Ventura: Pet Detectiveâ and âDumb and Dumber.â
The film follows Carreyâs down-on-his-luck banker named Stanley Ipkiss who becomes a The Mask, a green-faced mischief-maker, when he dons a mysterious mask.
Cameron Diaz also stars as Tina Carlyle, the girlfriend of mafia leader Dorian Tyrell (Peter Greene) who falls for Stanley.
Carrey has largely retreated from the Hollywood spotlight in recent years, only appearing as himself in the 2025 documentary âStarring Dick Van Dykeâ and lending his voice to the âSonic the Hedgehogâ movies.
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