Jim Carrey Calls Working With "The Mask" Director Chuck Russell "One of the Jewels" of His Career

Jim Carrey issued a statement Thursday honoring director Chuck Russell, who died unexpectedly at his San Diego-area home on July 22 at age 74, calling their work together on "The Mask" one of the defining moments of his creative life.

"I consider it a privilege to have worked with Chuck Russell, who, during the shooting of 'The Mask,' created an ebullient, childlike atmosphere of wonder and camaraderie on his set," Carrey said in the statement, given to TMZ, which first reported Russell's death. "The entire cast and crew were touched and inspired by his playfulness. Every one of us has been many years blessed by that buoyant and timeless moment. I consider 'The Mask' one of the jewels of my creative life. Thank you, Chuck."

Russell's family confirmed his death to TMZ. A local fire department responded to his home after a report of a medical emergency involving an unconscious man; a cause of death has not been disclosed.

Russell made his directorial debut in 1987 with "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors," which he also co-wrote, and followed it a year later with a cult remake of "The Blob." His biggest commercial hit came in 1994 with "The Mask," the Carrey-led comedy that grossed more than $351 million worldwide and marked Cameron Diaz's film debut. Russell went on to direct Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Eraser" and gave Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson his first leading role in 2002's "The Scorpion King."

His career later slowed before a return in 2016 with "I Am Wrath," starring John Travolta, and 2022's "Paradise City," a reunion with Travolta alongside Bruce Willis. Russell's final film was a 2024 remake of the 1986 horror title "Witchboard."

"The Mask" remains the project most closely tied to Russell's legacy, launching Carrey's run of 1994 blockbusters alongside "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and "Dumb and Dumber." Carrey's tribute makes no mention of a memorial service or further plans; Russell's family has not released additional details beyond confirming his death to TMZ.

Russell began his industry career in 1976 as a production coordinator before moving into directing more than a decade later. Beyond his work with Carrey, Schwarzenegger and Johnson, his filmography spans horror, action and comedy - a range reflected in a career that opened with a slasher sequel and closed with a supernatural horror remake nearly four decades later. Tributes from other collaborators had not surfaced publicly as of Friday, though Carrey's statement was the first and, so far, most prominent public response from anyone who worked directly with Russell.

The cause of death has not been made public, and neither TMZ nor Russell's family has indicated whether one will be disclosed. Coverage of Russell's death has so far centered almost entirely on "The Mask," a reflection of how thoroughly that single 1994 film has come to define his public legacy relative to the rest of his four-decade career.