Jim Carrey Breaks Silence on ‘The Mask’ Director Chuck Russell’s Death

Dan Clarendon July 25, 2026, 2:10 pm

Chuck Russell and Jim Carrey on the set of 'The Mask' — New Line Cinema/Courtesy: Everett Collection

What To Know

Jim Carrey paid tribute to The Mask director Chuck Russell.
Chuck Russel died unexpectedly at age 74.
The Mask was a major box office success and marked Cameron Diaz’s film debut.

Jim Carrey is honoring the filmmaker behind one of his breakout big-screen roles in a statement mourning the death of The Mask director Chuck Russell.

“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 a statement, per Deadline. “The entire cast and crew were touched and inspired by his playfulness.”

The actor added, “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, 74, died unexpectedly on Wednesday at home in the San Diego area, his family told TMZ. The site also reported that the local fire department responded to Russell’s residence that afternoon following a report of a medical emergency involving an unconscious male. A cause of death has not been announced publicly.

Based on the comic book series of the same name, 1994’s The Mask starred Carrey as a mild-mannered bank teller who finds a magical mask that transforms him into a green-faced trickster with cartoonish superpowers. The film, which earned more than $350 million at the global box office and positive reviews from critics, also marked Cameron Diaz’s acting debut.

Russell also directed the 1987 slasher sequel A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, the 1988 body horror flick The Blob, the 1996 action film Eraser, the 2000 horror film Bless the Child, and the 2002 Mummy follow-up The Scorpion King.

The director praised Carrey in a Reddit AMA last year, writing, “Jim was at his absolute best on The Mask. Very high energy! Most fun I ever had on set. The problem was night shooting, when Jim would crash after ‘lunch’ at 2 AM. We played a little game to keep him going during the long wait for lighting on those nights. I’d toss out a double impression challenge; not just a celebrity impression, but, as an example, ‘Elvis doing Clint Eastwood.’ His response was always instantaneous… and I swear he nailed it every time. This kept us alert and laughing in the wee hours. He is an uncanny talent.”