Chuck Russell, director of Jim Carrey's The Mask, dies at 74

Russell's biggest commercial hit came in 1994 with "The Mask," starring Jim Carrey as a mild-mannered bank clerk transformed by a mysterious mask into a cartoonish character. The film was a box-office success, earned an Academy Award nomination for visual effects, and marked Cameron Diaz's film debut. Carrey's performance became one of the defining roles of his early career.

In 1996, Russell directed Arnold Schwarzenegger in the action thriller "Eraser." He later directed "The Scorpion King" in 2002, starring Dwayne Johnson in his first leading role in a major film. The movie was a spin-off of "The Mummy Returns" and helped launch Johnson's transition into a Hollywood star.

Russell's other directing credits include "Bless the Child," "I Am Wrath," "Junglee," and "Paradise City." He also produced Michael Mann's 2004 crime thriller "Collateral." His final feature film was "Witchboard," a horror remake released in 2024.

Tributes from colleagues and fans emerged after the news of his death.