Texas Chainsaw MassacreandPoltergeistdirectorTobe Hooper passed away yesterdayat the age of 74 and now members of the Hollywood and horror community are paying tribute to the iconic director. Those paying tribute to Hooper have includedBaby DriverandShaun of the Deaddirector Edgar Wright andSleepwalkersdirector, Mick Garris, who collaborated with Hooper on Showtime’sMasters of Horrorshow as well asGuardians of the Galaxydirector James Gunn. 2017 has been a sad year for horror fans with the passing of Hooper and another horror director George A. Romero.
Hooper was born in Austin, Texas, the son of Lois Belle and Norman William Ray Hooper, who owned a theater in San Angelo. He first became interested in filmmaking when he used his father’sو mm camera at age 9. Hooper eventually took Radio-Television-Film classes at the University of Texas at Austin and studied drama in Dallas under Baruch Lumet before going out to make movies on his own. Hooper’s first movie was 1969’s ghost storyEggshells, but he changed the horror genre forever with his second movie, 1974’sThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre, an unforgettable tale of Texas-dwelling cannibals, including the chainsaw-wieldingLeatherface. Widely regarded as one of the most terrifying and influential horror movies ever made, the movie went on to spawn many sequels, starting with 1986’sThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, which Hooper directed himself.
In addition toThe Chainsaw Massacre,Tobe Hooperalso directed 1982’sPoltergeist, which also went on to legendary status in the supernatural horror genre. In addition to movies, Hooper also directed television shows, includingSalem’s Lot,Tales from the Crypt,The Equalizer, and even the first episode of the short livedFreddy’s Nightmaresin 1988. Hooper even directed Billy Idol’s video for the hit song “Dancing with Myself,” which gained huge airplay on MTV throughout the early 1980s.
As the news of Hooper’s death began to spread, many took to social media to pay tribute to the director.Aquamandirector, James Wan said, “Sad to hear the passing of Tobe Hooper. One of the nicest people. A sweet, gentle soul of a man. Your legacy lives on.“Doctor Strangedirector, Scott Derrickson, said that Tobe Hooper was the “king oftransgressive horror” whileGuardians of the GalaxydirectorJames Gunn took to Twitterto share his thoughts about his friend. Gunn had this to say.
“Just woken up to news that my friend Tobe Hooper has passed away. A great director, yes, but also the kindest, sweetest man. I am so sad.”
Sad to hear the passing of Tobe Hooper. One of the nicest people. A sweet, gentle soul of a man. Your legacy lives on.
Legendary horror director John Carpenter also paid tribute via Twitter. Carpenter said this about his friend Tobe Hooper.
“Tobe Hooper directedTHE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, a seminal work in horror cinema. He was a kind, decent man and my friend. A sad day.”
Baby Driverdirector, Edgar Wright also took to Twitter to share his thoughts. He had this to say about Hooper.
" Very sad to hear of the passing of Tobe Hooper, another master of horror. He conjured some truly shattering, unforgettable moments in film.”
Elijah Wood said, “Aww, man. Another legend has passed. So long, Tobe Hooper,” while Michael Mendez said, “Very sad to hear of the passing of another legend. R.I.P. Tobe Hooper, a groundbreaking filmmaker & a good friend. You will be missed sir.” A running theme through all of the tributes to the late Tobe Hooper mention how nice and kind the iconic director was in addition to his immense talents. R.I.P. Tobe Hooper.
