Jim Carrey is remembering one of his former directors.
The actor and comedian paid tribute to “The Mask” director Chuck Russell after the filmmaker’s death Wednesday at the age of 74.
“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 obtained by Page Six.
“The entire cast and crew were touched and inspired by his playfulness,” he continued. “Every one of us has been many years blessed by that buoyant and timeless moment.”
Carrey concluded his statement by thanking Russell and saying he considers “The Mask” to be “one of the jewels of [his] creative life.”
Russell died June 22 in San Diego, his wife Ania confirmed to the New York Times.
He is known for directing “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987), “The Blob” (1988), “Eraser” (1996) and “The Scorpion King” (2002).
For his most recent work, 2024’s “Witchboard,” he served as the writer, director and producer.
“The Mask,” which was released in 1994, was a memorable hit for Carrey, releasing the same year he also starred in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “Dumb and Dumber.”
The film follows Carrey’s down-on-his-luck banker named Stanley Ipkiss who becomes a The Mask, a green-faced mischief-maker, when he dons a mysterious mask.
Cameron Diaz also stars as Tina Carlyle, the girlfriend of mafia leader Dorian Tyrell (Peter Greene) who falls for Stanley.
Carrey has largely retreated from the Hollywood spotlight in recent years, only appearing as himself in the 2025 documentary “Starring Dick Van Dyke” and lending his voice to the “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies.
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