Wes Craven, writer and director of A Nightmare On Elm Street and Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes, Scream and many other horror classics, has passed away at the age of 76. He had been battling brain cancer, according to a statement from his family.
“It is with deep sadness we inform you that Wes Craven passed away at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 30th,” the statement began. “Craven was surrounded by love, in the presence of his family at his Los Angeles home.”
Craven directed his first feature film, The Last House on the Left in 1972, also serving as writer and editor. Horror movie fans are often surprised to learn that he also worked on Paris Je T’Aime and Music of the Heart. He was also a passionate bird conservationist and served on the Audubon California Board of Directors.
He is survived by his wife, producer and former Disney Studios vice president Iya Labunka, his two children from a previous marriage, Jonathan and Jessica, a stepdaughter, Nina Tarnawsky, and three grandchildren.
Wes Craven was fantastic at combining black humor with chilling terror. His greatest creation, Freddy Krueger, is an icon of modern horror.
Rest well, Mr. Craven.
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