Today brings about some incredibly sad news for the horror community as cult classic filmmakerStuart Gordon has passed away. A legend of the horror genre, Gordon is very well-known for directing genre movies likeRe-Animator,From Beyond,Dolls, and a variety of others. This has obviously left fans all across the world deeply saddened over the loss, and many of Gordon’s colleagues and contemporaries from his legendary career have taken to social media to react to the news.
Scream queen Barbara Crampton, who starred alongside Jeffrey Combs in Gordon’s movieRe-Animator, has also reacted to the news of Gordon’s passing on social media. “An enormous talent, vibrant & boundary breaking, his work was in a class by itself,” Crampton writes on Twitter. She adds: “He created countless moments on film which were at once, funny, scary, daring & smart. He gave me my career. I lost a dear friend. I’m heartbroken. No words can do him justice. RIP Stuart Gordon.”
Phantasm director Don Coscarellialso posted a touching photo on Twitter of himself alongside Gordon, John Carpenter, Guillermo del Toro, and other horror legends taken during the production of the TV seriesMasters of Horror. “At the firstMasters of Horrordinner, Stuart said something which resonated with every horror filmmaker: ‘Horror films are a rehearsal for our own deaths.’ In eight words he answered why we make them and watch them. Stuart, you made the finest. RIP, my friend,” Coscarelli writes in the caption.
Mick Garris, the creator ofMasters of Horrorand a personal friend to Stuart, posted a photo of himself with Stuart on social media as well. “To knowStuart Gordonwas to love Stuart Gordon,” Garris writes. Echoing the thoughts of so many others, Garris goes on to add: “One of the true Masters of Horror and a wonderful, wonderful man. He was brilliant, funny, and always at the top of his game. So hard to say goodbye. We love you and miss you, Stuart.”
Inspired by Gordon’s work,Shaun of the DeadandBaby Driver director Edgar Wrighthas also commented on the news of the filmmaker’s passing. Taking to Twitter, Wright writes: “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 likeFrom Beyond& the outrageous gem that isRe-Animator. Put a plaque up at Miskatonic University for him.”
All across the world, fans of the filmmaker have been expressing their sadness through social media as well. “I wouldn’t have the same love for horror that I have if it wasn’t for Stuart Gordon,” one fan writes on Twitter. “Going to rewatchRe-AnimatorandFrom Beyondtoday in memory of such a brilliant filmmaker,” laments another. Filmmaker Ted Geoghegan also posted a photo of Gordon and his wife when the two were both just 18 years old, writing, “Send her all of your best energy today.” It’s all very touching to see and shows just how much Stuart is cared for and missed by the horror community and beyond.
Starting his career in theater, Gordon was directing movies by the mid ’80s, helming the cult classicRe-Animatorin 1985. One of his most popular movies, the film was redeveloped asRe-Animator: The Musicalin more recent years with Gordon producing, directing, and co-writing the book. He’d follow up the original movie with the horror moviesFrom BeyondandDollsbefore co-creating the story for the Disney classicHoney, I Shrunk the Kidswith Brian Yuzna and Ed Naha. Gordon had also been set to direct the movie, though an illness forced him to drop out before filming could begin. He’d later produce the sequelHoney, I Blew Up the Kidas well.
We also know Gordon well for his work on several other horror genre classics. This includes directing the 1991 version of Edgar Allen Poe’sThe Pit and the Pendulumand the Full Moon horror flickCastle Freaks, along with co-writing the screenplay for Brian Yuzna slasher movieThe Dentist. Some of Gordon’s other notable movies include the sci-fi ventureSpace Truckers, the Spanish horror movieDagon, the crime thrillerKing of the Ants, and the 2005 dramaEdmondwhich starred William H. Macy. He also directed episodes of the television showsHoney, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show,Masters of Horror, andFear Itself.
Gordon’s survivors include his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon; brother David George Gordon; daughters Suzanna, Jillian, and Margaret Gordon; and four grandchildren. We send our condolences to them along with everyone else who knew Gordon best during this time. The legendary filmmaker will also forever be remembered by his fans, and his everlasting work will ensure his memory lives on forever. May he rest in peace. This news comes to us fromVariety.
