Tobe Hooper Has Passed Away

Of all the visionary voices in 20th century horror, his was certainly one of the boldest, so it is with an especially deep sadness that we share the news that filmmaker Tobe Hooper has passed away at the age of 74.

Multiple outlets are reporting the news of Hooper's passing, including Variety, although the cause of death has not been announced at this time. Hooper passed away on August 26th in Sherman Oaks, California.

Few filmmakers left such an indelible mark on the horror genre as Hooper, who pushed boundaries and captured fear on screen like never before in 1974's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which introduced viewers to the cannibalistic Sawyer clan and their chainsaw-wielding human butcher, Leatherface. Over forty years later, few films have matched the raw power and primal fear of Hooper's audacious 1974 horror film.

Hooper followed up his genre game-changer with an immensely impressive run of films, including Eaten Alive, Salem's Lot, The Funhouse, Lifeforce, the Invaders from Mars remake, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. His haunting depiction of small-town terror in Salem's Lot, an adaptation of Stephen King's seminal vampire novel, has provided nightmare fuel for decades, while Poltergeist remains a fixture of pop culture over 35 years after its initial release.

Hooper also brought vivid nightmares to life on the small screen, directing the Freddy Krueger origin story episode on Freddy's Nightmares as well as two celebrated installments of the Masters of Horror series.

Bringing his unique vision of horror to multiple mediums, Hooper wrote the meta novel Midnight Movie, which was released in 2010 and featured himself as a main character who must try to survive after the audience turns into zombies at a screening of his (fictional) movie Destiny Express.

In a year in which we've already lost another groundbreaking director, George A. Romero, Hooper's passing comes as an especially hard blow for horror fans, but his work—which has already influenced countless artists over several generations—will continue to inspire, chill, and amaze for decades to come. Thank you, Mr. Hooper, for taking us into the farmhouse, into the funhouse, and into the television. Our thoughts are with Hooper's family and friends during this difficult time. Here are some of the remembrances that have been posted online by those who knew, admired, or worked with Hooper:

When we did TCM 2, He loved @drpepper and smoked @CDMCigars. I bought him this hat and he wore it. I thought he was brilliant. RIP Tobe... pic.twitter.com/aPqu5iFI9x

— Tom Savini (@THETomSavini) August 27, 2017

I spoke with the man who gave me everything I have just yesterday. He died a happy man~ https://t.co/fqMadEEULd

— Caroline Williams (@WilliCaroline) August 27, 2017

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

Sorry to hear Tobe Hooper passed. He did a terrific job directing the 'SALEM'S LOT miniseries, back in the day. He will be missed.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 27, 2017

So sad to say goodbye to TOBE Hooper, the man who took a chance on me and gave me my career in film's greatest genre.

— Bill Moseley (@choptopmoseley) 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

Thank you Tobe. I'm glad I'm at a horror film fest right now. Feels like the place to be on the day we lose you. pic.twitter.com/HNileKOvIp

— Graham Skipper (@GrahamSkipper) August 27, 2017

*Image at top from Mick Garris interview w/ Tobe Hooper.