US horror film director Wes Craven dies

The filmmaker’s family said in a statement that he died at his Los Angeles home after suffering from brain cancer.

The statement said: “It is with deep sadness we inform you that Wes Craven passed away at 1pm on Sunday, August 30 after battling brain cancer. Craven was surrounded by love, in the presence of his family, at his home in Los Angeles.”

Craven is recognised as one of the most famous names in the horror genre and said to have re-invented the ‘teen horror genre’ with films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and the Scream movies.

‘The world lost a great man’

He wrote and directed A Nightmare on Elm Street, which was released in 1984 and starred a then unknown Johnny Depp. This was arguably Craven’s most famous film, featuring one of horror’s most iconic characters, Freddie Krueger.

Following the success of the five Nightmare on Elm Street movies, Craven went on to release Scream in 1996.

Actresses Courtney Cox, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Rose Mcgowan who starred in Scream and the franchise’s subsequent films, posted tributes to Craven on social media.

The Courtney Cox said: “Today the world lost a great man, my friend and mentor, Wes Craven. My heart goes out to his family. x”

Today the world lost a great man, my friend and mentor, Wes Craven. My heart goes out to his family. x

— Courteney Cox (@CourteneyCox) August 31, 2015

I had the great privilege of working with #WesCraven one of the kindest most gentle souls, who made great scary films. #RIPWesCraven

— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) August 31, 2015

Shedding tears now. A giant has left us. #wescraven #always #liveon pic.twitter.com/t3ituQLgV1

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) August 31, 2015

Actor Jamie Kennedy, who also starred in the original Scream movie, said he’d have “no career if it were not for Wes Craven”.

The director of Bridesmaids and the Ghostbusters reboot Paul Feig tweeted: “RIP Wes Craven. You were one of a kind. Thanks for all the years of scares and fun.”

Over the course of his career Craven directed 29 films and earned 36 writing credits, including his first feature film The Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes and 2005 psychological thriller Red Eye.

While he became widely known as the king of horror, Craven did occasionally stray from the genre. He directed 1999 drama Music of the Heart, which earned Meryl Streep an Oscar nomination.

He was also remembered for uncovering fresh talent and is credited with giving Johnny Depp, Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis their first featured roles.

Craven is survived by his film producer wife, Iya Labunka, a son, daughter and stepdaughter.