Stars Mourn Death Of 'Kind, Gentle' Horror Film Director Wes Craven

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The stars of Wes Craven's best-known horror film franchises are reacting with grief and condolences Monday following his death from brain cancer.

Craven, 76, died Sunday at his Los Angeles home from a battle with brain cancer, according to his family.

Known as the Guru of Gore, Craven was the writer and director of the "Nightmare on Elm Street and "Scream" film franchises. He was also known for the films "Swamp Thing" and "The Hills Have Eyes."

Perhaps his most iconic creation was the dream villain Freddy Kruger, played by Robert Englund, who described Craven as a "brilliant, kind, gentle and very funny man."

The "Scream" series, which made fun of the teen horror genre and included quite a few references to the "Nightmare" franchise, helped catapult the careers of several actors, including Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, Skeet Ulrich and Rose McGowan.

Johnny Depp ("Nightmare on Elm Street"), Sharon Stone ("Deadly Blessing") and Bruce Willis ("The Twilight Zone") also starred in early Craven projects, to go on to become movie stars.

Craven was born in 1939 in Cleveland and raised in a strict Baptist household. He graduated with a masters degree in philosophy and writing from John Hopkins University. He briefly spent time as a college professor and radio announcer before finding traction as a filmmaker. His first feature was the horror film, "The Last House on the Left."

Craven's survivors include his wife, one-time Disney Studios Vice President Iya Labunka.

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