The Texas Chainsaw Massacre director Tobe Hooper has died, aged 74.
The filmmaker passed away on Saturday (August 26) in Sherman Oaks, California. The Los Angeles County Coroner has confirmed has death, as Variety reports.
No cause of death has been revealed at the time of writing.
Hooper made the influential Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 1974 for less than $300,000 (£233k). It was banned in multiple countries due to violence portrayed in it.
He was also credited with directing Stephen Spielberg’s 1982 film Poltergeist. Hooper adapted Stephen King’s novel Salem’s Lot into a TV miniseries in 1979 and was also the director behind the movies Lifeforce and Invaders From Mars.
The influential filmmaker also worked on a music video for Billy Idol‘s 1982 single ‘Dancing With Myself’.
Hooper was born in Austin, Texas in 1943. Before he began working in film, he taught at college. He is survived by one son, William Tony Hooper.
Figures from the film world have begun to pay tribute to the late director. Composer John Carpenter wrote: “Tobe Hooper directed THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, a seminal work in horror cinema. He was a kind, decent man and my friend. A sad day.”
Edgar Wright added: “Very sad to hear of the passing of Tobe Hooper, another master of horror. He conjured some truly shattering, unforgettable moments in film.”
See those and more reactions below.
Tobe Hooper directed THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, a seminal work in horror cinema. He was a kind, decent man and my friend. A sad day.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) August 27, 2017
Very sad to hear of the passing of Tobe Hooper, another master of horror. He conjured some truly shattering, unforgettable moments in film. pic.twitter.com/6Kxw0gURzF
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) August 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/901706330259415040
Tobe Hooper, a kind, warm-hearted man
Who made the most terrifying film ever.
A good friend I will never forget— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) August 27, 2017
RIP Tobe Hooper! The Saw is Family! https://t.co/1mATuP2KRI pic.twitter.com/70VEcssiS5
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 27, 2017
Just woken up to news that my friend Tobe Hooper has passed away. A great director, yes, but also the kindest, sweetest man. I am so sad.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 27, 2017