Chuck Russell, director of 'The Mask,' dies at 74

Chuck Russell, the director who catapulted Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz to stardom with the 1994 hit 'The Mask,' has died at the age of 74. The filmmaker passed away unexpectedly at his home in California on Wednesday, according to reports.

Russell's directorial debut with 'The Mask,' a vibrant comedy based on a comic book, became a global box office phenomenon, grossing over $350 million worldwide. The film's innovative special effects, particularly those used to animate Carrey's character, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects and marked Cameron Diaz's feature film debut at age 21.

Beyond 'The Mask,' Russell had a notable career in the 1980s and 1990s. He directed Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1996 action film 'Eraser' and revitalized the horror franchise with 'A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors' in 1987.

In 2002, Russell directed Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in his first leading role, 'The Scorpion King.' His most recent work was writing and directing a new version of the 1986 film 'Witchboard,' released in 2024. The cause of Russell's death has not yet been disclosed.