Stuart Gordon death: Cult horror director behind Re-Animator dies at 72

Edgar Wright led tributes to the filmmaker on Twitter, praising him for his work on ‘outrageous gems’

Filmmaker Stuart Gordon attends a screening of his film 'King of the Ants' in 2004 (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

Stuart Gordon, the horror director behind the cult classic Re-Animator, has died at the age of 72.

Gordon’s family confirmed the news to Variety, but have yet to announce the cause of Gordon's death.

He was best-known for directing a number of acclaimed B-movies, including From Beyond (1986), Dolls (1987) and Space Truckers (1996).

His most well-regarded work, 1985’s Re-Animator, was inspired by a HP Lovecraft tale and told the story of a deranged medical student who develops a formula to raise the dead. It would launch a franchise of sequels, as well as a stage musical.

Gordon also co-created the beloved Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise, and founded the Organic Theater Company with his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon. The theatre premiered a number of acclaimed plays, including David Mamet’s Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

Shaun of the Dead filmmaker Edgar Wright has led tributes to Gordon on Twitter.

He wrote: “Sorry to hear about the great Stuart Gordon passing. Along with his storied career in theatre and independent film, he is in the horror hall of hame forever for films like From Beyond & the outrageous gem that is Re-Animator. Put a plaque up at Miskatonic University for him.”

Cult horror actor Barbara Crampton, who starred in Re-Animator and several other Gordon films, tweeted: “An enormous talent, vibrant & boundary breaking, his work was in a class by itself. He created countless moments on film which were at once, funny, scary, daring & smart. He gave me my career. I lost a dear friend. I’m heartbroken. No words can do him justice. RIP Stuart Gordon.”

The screenwriter Simon Barrett, whose credits include You’re Next, The Guest and V/H/S, praised Gordon as an early supporter.

“Stuart Gordon was not only a brilliant filmmaker but an incredibly gracious human,” Barrett wrote on Twitter. “He attended an early screening of A Horrible Way to Die and was quite kind about it, which was the only reason Adam and I had the confidence to try to cast Barbara Crampton in You’re Next. RIP”

Gordon is survived by his wife, daughters Suzanna, Jillian and Margaret Gordon, four grandchildren and his brother, David George Gordon.