Jim Carrey Thanks Late ‘The Mask’ Director Chuck Russell For Career “Jewel”

Jim Carrey has paid tribute to his The Mask director Chuck Russell, who died 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. “The entire cast and crew were touched and inspired by his playfulness.

“Every one of us,” he continued, “has been many years blessed by that buoyant and timeless moment. I consider The Mask one of the jewels of my creative life. Thank you, Chuck.”

The Mask was one of Carrey’s early career peaks alongside Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumberall released in 1994. The film comedy starred Carrey as a meek bank teller who discovers that an enchanted mask can transform him into a green-faced trickster superhero with the ability to alter himself and his surroundings with cartoon-like ease.

In addition to starring Carrey, The Mask marked the screen debut of Cameron Diaz. The box office hit scored an Oscar nomination for the visual effects created by George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic.

Russell died July 22 at his home in the San Diego area. A cause of death has not been disclosed, but he was pronounced dead after the local fire department responded to his home on a reported medical emergency.

Russell’s other films included A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, The Blob, Eraser and The Scorpion King.