Wes Craven, Creator of the Nightmare on Elm Street Movies, Dies Aged 76

Acclaimed Hollywood horror maestro Wes Craven, director of classics like the Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream movie series, died on Sunday in his Los Angeles home.

The 76-year-old director passed away after a lengthy battle with brain cancer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Craven is best known for creating the iconic character Freddy Kruger, one of the best-recognized horror villains ever, in his five Nightmare on Elm Street movies — which he said were inspired by a cemetery opposite his childhood home on Elm Street in suburban Cleveland.

[THR]