The film community lost a master of the horror genre.
Stuart Gordon, best known for his work on cult horror films, has died. He was 72. No cause of death has been given, yet.
Gordon’s 1980s films, “Re-Animator” and “From Beyond,” are considered cult classics, and pioneers in the body-horror subgenre that paved the way for contemporary directors like Eli Roth and Ari Aster to prosper in the mainstream.
He is also known for his lighthearted work: he co-created the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” franchise; he produced the original film and co-wrote the TV series based on the films.
In his last years, he was known for his work in theatre, in particular the Organic Theater Company, which he founded with his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon.
Peers and fans of Gordon — themselves directors, as well — have expressed their grief on the internet, including Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead”) and Simon Barrett (“A Horrible Way to Die”).
Sorry to hear about the great Stuart Gordon passing. Along with his storied career in theatre and independent film, he is in the horror hall of hame forever for films like ‘From Beyond’ & the outrageous gem that is ‘Re-Animator’. Put a plaque up at Miskatonic University for him. pic.twitter.com/Uv56Bc4Isd
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) March 25, 2020
Stuart Gordon was not only a brilliant filmmaker but an incredibly gracious human. He attended an early screening of A Horrible Way to Die and was quite kind about it, which was the only reason Adam and I had the confidence to try to cast Barbara Crampton in You’re Next. R.I.P.
— Simon Barrett (@Simon_Barrett) March 25, 2020
By Michael Jacobo
Photo: Shutterstock
