“The Mask” director Chuck Russell dies at 74

Chuck Russell, the director of The Mask, Eraser and The Scorpion King, has died at the age of 74, TMZ reported.

Russell died unexpectedly at his home in the San Diego area on June 22, according to his family. The cause of death remains unknown.

He began his directing career with A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors in 1987 and later directed the cult horror film The Blob.

Russell gained widespread recognition for directing Jim Carrey in The Mask. His work on the film, which involved collaboration with George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic on visual-effects technology, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.

His other notable films included Eraser, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and The Scorpion King, which marked Dwayne Johnson’s first leading role. His final film was the 2024 remake of Witchboard, which he wrote and directed.

By Sabina Mammadli