Acclaimed filmmaker behind The Mask, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, and The Scorpion King passes away at his California home.
Chuck Russell, the acclaimed filmmaker best known for directing the hit 1994 comedy-action film The Mask, has died at the age of 68.
According to TMZ, Russell’s family confirmed that he passed away at his home in the San Diego area on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
The report said local firefighters were called to the residence after Russell lost consciousness and was transported to a nearby hospital. However, his family has not disclosed the cause of death.
Relatives are reportedly travelling to California as they mourn the loss of the veteran filmmaker.
Russell built a successful career in Hollywood by directing a number of popular films across the horror, action and comedy genres. He made his feature directorial debut with 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, which he also co-wrote. The film became one of the most successful entries in the iconic horror franchise and established Russell as a rising director.
He followed that success with the 1988 remake of The Blob before achieving worldwide recognition with The Mask in 1994.
Starring Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz, The Mask became one of the biggest box office successes of the year. Produced on a budget of less than $23 million, the film earned more than $351 million worldwide, launching Diaz’s acting career and cementing Carrey’s status as one of Hollywood’s leading comedy stars.
Russell later directed several other notable films, including Eraser starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and The Scorpion King, featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in his first leading film role.
A graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Russell earned a reputation for blending visual effects, action and humour in films that became fan favourites across multiple generations.
News of his passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans on social media, many remembering The Mask as one of the defining comedy films of the 1990s and celebrating Russell’s contributions to both the horror and action genres.
With a career spanning nearly four decades, Chuck Russell leaves behind a legacy of commercially successful and influential films that continue to entertain audiences around the world.