Legendary horror filmmaker Wes Craven has died, aged 76.
His family announced the sad news in a statement which reads: "It is with deep sadness we inform you that Wes Craven passed away at 1PM on Sunday, August 30 after battling brain cancer. He was 76 years old. Craven was surrounded by love, in the presence of his family at his Los Angeles home."
Craven, known for creating horror franchises A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream, had been battling brain cancer.
He claimed to have gotten the idea for Elm Street from living next to a cemetery on a street of that name in Cleveland. The five main Nightmare on Elm Street films were released from 1984 - 1989, their killer Freddy Krueger being among the genre's most iconic.
The Scream series was also a box-office sensation. In those horror/comedies, he spoofed the teen horror genre and frequently referenced other horror movies.
His other works include The Hills Have Eyes, The Last House on the Left, The People Under the Stairs, Shocker and Vampire in Brooklyn.
Craven's survivors include his wife, producer and former Disney Studios vice president Iya Labunka.
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