Chuck Russell
| Chuck Russell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Charles Russell May 9, 1958 Park Ridge, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation | Film director, producer, screenwriter, actor |
| Years active | 1973–present |
Charles "Chuck" Russell (born May 9, 1958) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and actor, known for his work on several visually stimulating genre films.
Some of Russell's best known films include the slasher fantasy film A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, the 1988 remake of the 1958 monster horror film The Blob, the fantasy superhero comedy film The Mask, the action film Eraser, and the action-adventure The Scorpion King, Russell also executive produced the critically acclaimed Michael Mann-directed neo-noir crime thriller Collateral.
Russell was born in Park Ridge, Illinois and grew up in Chicago. He attended Maine South High School and was a graduate of the 1976 class. While attending the University of Illinois, Russell became fascinated with Chicago's active theater scene and began writing, acting and directing one act plays. Chicago's famous Second City Theater was an inspiration for Russell, where he saw such comedians as John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd get their start. Russell became fascinated with comedy improv, studying techniques he later applied in the development of such films as Back to School and The Mask.
After graduating from the University of Illinois, Russell left Chicago to begin work in film production in Los Angeles. He worked his way up, assistant directing and production managing independent films while writing screenplays.
Russell made his directorial debut in 1987 with A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. At that time, New Line Cinema was uncertain about the future of the Elm Street franchise. Russell convinced them that the series could take a step further into Freddy's nightmare world through cutting edge visual effects… and dramatize the bond among Freddy's youthful victims with the concept of Dream Warriors. The success of the film redefined the franchise for New Line, earning more at the box office than the first two films put together. At the time of its release A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors was the highest grossing independent film ever made.
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