‘The Mask’ director Chuck Russell dead at 74
Chuck Russell, the director of The Mask, Eraser and Scorpion King, has died aged 74.
His attorney confirmed that Russell died unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 22nd, in the San Diego area. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
However, it was discovered after the local fire department had responded to his house for the report of an unconscious man, according to reports.
After spending parts of his career writing and producing, Russell got his directing break on A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, which was praised for its revival of the series.
Then in 1994, Russell went on to direct one of his most commercially successful films, The Mask, which not only gained an Oscar nod for Visual Special Effects, but also helped start Cameron Diaz’ film career and propel Jim Carrey further into stardom.
Following The Mask, Russell established himself as a box-office director in the ’90s and subsequently landed the job for the ’96 film Eraser with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and then the ’02 film The Scorpion King, which again launched the cinema acting career of Dwayne Johnson.
After that film, Russell took a 14-year break from directing, to return on ’16’s I Am Wrath starring John Travolta and Bruce Willis, before going on to direct his final film, the 2024 remake of the ’86 classic Witchboard.
Norris is survived by his wife of 19 years Ania, and his three children, Logan, Riley, and Carlyn.
TMZ was the first to break the news of Russell’s death.
This is a developing story and is being updated live.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.