Horror Community Pays Tribute to Wes Craven

We are shocked, saddened, and completely crushed to learn the news tonight that legendary horror director Wes Craven has died after a battle with brain cancer. He was 76.

Craven’s impact on the world of horror movies is immeasurable, having directed such genre defining classics as The Last House on the Left (1972), The Hills Have Eyes (1977), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Scream (1996), as well as The People Under the Stairs (1991), The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), Shocker (1989), and many more.

The horror community as a whole has expressed the huge impact of Craven’s impressive career on Twitter, and we have embedded some of the best Tweets from of the director’s best known friends and collaborators, including John Carpenter, Robert Englund, Kevin Williamson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Adrienne Barbeau, Rose McGowan, Patricia Arquette, Henry Winkler, Halloween Returns director Marcus Dunstan, and more.

Tell us your favorite Wes Craven movie in the comments!

My friend Wes has left us too soon. He was truly an Old School director. I had a great time directing him. I’m… http://t.co/NCeEflbdhO

— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) August 31, 2015

Devastated to hear the news. Wes was a great friend, fine director and good man. Giant loss. Much too soon. http://t.co/3XnIn8UNIF

— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) August 31, 2015

RIP Wes Craven, my director, my friend. A brilliant, kind, gentle and very funny man. A sad day on Elm St and everywhere. I’ll miss him.

— Robert B. Englund (@RobertBEnglund) August 31, 2015

Hollywood’s lost a rare species in Wes Craven. The true Gentleman.

— Robert B. Englund (@RobertBEnglund) August 31, 2015

@wescraven rest …knowing your imagination delighted and terrified millions with your extraordinary story telling. Love to your memory

— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) August 31, 2015

Wes. Such a sweet, special man. So many memories…

— Kevin Williamson (@kevwilliamson) August 31, 2015

Today we lost a great one. Wes was hero and mentor. I’ve been blessed. Prayers to his family.

— Kevin Williamson (@kevwilliamson) August 31, 2015

Today the world lost a great man, my friend and mentor, Wes Craven. My heart goes out to his family. x

— Courteney Cox (@CourteneyCox) August 31, 2015

So sad to hear the news about Wes. An amazing man on set and off and I owe so much to his talents. He will be sorely missed by many…

— Skeet Ulrich (@SkeetMe1) August 31, 2015

Stunned 2 learn of Wes Craven’s passing. Just doesn’t seem possible. Wasn’t it yesterday we were in the swamps 2gether? O Wes, what a loss.

— Adrienne Barbeau (@abarbeau) August 31, 2015

Shedding tears now. A giant has left us. #wescraven #always #liveon pic.twitter.com/t3ituQLgV1

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) August 31, 2015

RIP Wes. Thank you for the opportunity and for the thrilling entertainment. https://t.co/i4pHFJeSWA

— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) August 31, 2015

He was a truly wonderful man, both in set and off. He will be missed. https://t.co/NbvochfxTN

— tracy middendorf (@tracymiddendorf) August 31, 2015

@wescraven today is sad, I was just 16 yrs old when we shot #DeadlyFriend you taught me SO much & I love you dearly, I will always miss you.

— Kristy Swanson (@KristySwansonXO) August 31, 2015

R.I.P. to one of my all time heroes who was also truly one of the nicest people I ever had the good fortune to meet. pic.twitter.com/UNisaTRgFn

— Eli Roth (@eliroth) August 31, 2015

RIP Wes Craven! A pioneer in the genre!

— Joe Dante (@joe_dante) August 31, 2015

Very sad to hear about the passing of a legend and a founder of modern horror. See you in our dreams, Mr. Craven.

— Elijah Wood (@woodelijah) August 31, 2015

Rip Wes Craven you always were one of my biggest influences and I can never hope to achieve your level of brilliance! pic.twitter.com/kwDx6iITqr

— Adam Gierasch (@CreepyMofo) August 31, 2015

Can’t believe the news. Heartfelt sadness and deepest condolences with the passing of Wes Craven. Truly one of my biggest inspirations. #rip

— James Wan (@creepypuppet) August 31, 2015

I’ve always had the deepest respect for @WesCraven and his ability to take his fans on a thrilling ride. Warmest regards to his loved ones.

— Roland Emmerich (@rolandemmerich) August 31, 2015

Rest In Peace- I am so very grateful to have had the chance to read & work with you. https://t.co/fNZChS2gvk

— Jaime King (@Jaime_King) August 31, 2015

#RIPWesCraven @wescraven @OfficialSGordon @RobZombie @eliroth pic.twitter.com/FttZT6XGmU

— 31 (@RobZombie31) August 31, 2015

Wes Craven was the most professional, talented, and kind director I ever had the pleasure of working with… An absolute gem.

— Miko (@MikoHughes) August 31, 2015

He directed me in Scream3 and I directed him in J&SB. Fare thee well horror-Gretzky WES CRAVEN. Talented, good guy. http://t.co/LZB0EGzxfV

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 31, 2015

@wescraven you will be missed. Your genius will live on throughout the ages. Thank you for being such a pioneer.

— Tom Savini (@THETomSavini) August 31, 2015

RIP @wescraven Your darkness was my light. Condolences to your lovely family

— Bill Moseley (@choptopmoseley) August 31, 2015

Truly a master. You will be missed Wes. @wescraven pic.twitter.com/qF4a97Of4f

— Don Coscarelli (@DonCoscarelli) August 31, 2015

I had the great privilege of working with #WesCraven one of the kindest most gentle souls, who made great scary films. #RIPWesCraven

— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) August 31, 2015

Clive and Wes on the Dr. Ruth show. RIP Wes Craven. http://t.co/nSS12ydijZ

— Clive Barker (@RealCliveBarker) August 31, 2015

Heartbroken about the loss of Wes Craven. He was an incredible inspiration as a director and, more so, a very kind man.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 31, 2015

Wes Craven did things in film that other people absolutely cannot do. A true legend. #RIP

— Ti West (@Ti_West) August 31, 2015

The Evil Dead flicks had several homages to Master Wes Craven (Freddie’s glove in this case). He showed us the way. pic.twitter.com/JqNK0WHOkv

— Bruce Campbell (@GroovyBruce) August 31, 2015

#RIPWesCraven, horror legend and old friend… He passed away today at age 76. Here’s me in Craven’s “Freddy’s Dead” pic.twitter.com/nnLxyqdFva

— Alice Cooper (@RealAliceCooper) August 31, 2015

Wes, you will be missed by many. Such a pleasure to work with. Horror genius.

— Kane Hodder (@kanehodder1) August 31, 2015

He was so kind, gentle and nurturing as a person and a director. So grateful to have him as my first feature… http://t.co/3uGE1h9ZE4

— Sean Whalen (@thatguysmw) August 31, 2015

R.I.P Wes Craven https://t.co/dgIpIWpuIA

— Elvira (@TheRealElvira) August 31, 2015

Omg! R.I.P. #Wes Craven so much was given. Too few will know. Ty 4 infusing heart & wit & chills in2 modern template of #horrorfilms

— Tony Todd (@TonyTodd54) August 31, 2015

Without Freddy, there would be no Chucky. Never met Wes but I was hugely inspired by his work.

— Don Mancini (@RealDonMancini) August 31, 2015

Oh NO!!! RIP to the MASTER of horror @wescraven who set the bar so beautifully high. I never had the pleasure of working u #untilnexttime

— danielle harris (@halloweengal) August 31, 2015

Thank you for the dreams, the nightmares and all that wander in between, Mr. Craven. Rest in peace. Thank you for the heart in your art…

— Marcus Dunstan (@MarcusDunstan) August 31, 2015

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Matt Artz

Founded Halloween Daily News in 2012 and the Halloween International Film Festival in 2016. Professional writer/journalist/photographer since 2000.