Re-Animator filmmaker Stuart Gordon has died aged 72, his reps have confirmed. Cause of death was not disclosed.

Known for 1980’s cult horrors including Re-Animator and From Beyond, Gordon also worked in indie theater and founded the successful Organic Theater Company with his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon.

Gordon was a co-creator of the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise, producing the film’s sequel and writing on the TV series. He directed films including Christopher Lambert starrer Fortress, Stephen Dorff movie Space Truckers and William H. Macy film Edmond. He wrote movies including Abel Ferrara’s Body Snatchers.

In his latter years, Gordon worked in LA theater, directing the solo show Nevermore…An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe, starring his Re-Animator lead Jeffrey Combs.

One of Gordon’s agents told us, “Stuart was a lovely man, a dear friend, a client for nearly a decade, and he will be greatly missed. He was an icon in the horror genre, a loved mentor and bright light that inspired and encouraged aspiring genre film makers to excel at their craft. He left his finger prints on the film industry for generations to come to enjoy.”

News of Gordon’s passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences on social media, including from Edgar Wright, Barbara Crampton, screenwriters and many journalists.

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. pic.twitter.com/Uv56Bc4Isd — edgarwright (@edgarwright) March 25, 2020

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 — Barbara Crampton (@barbaracrampton) March 25, 2020

Stuart Gordon was not only a brilliant filmmaker but an incredibly gracious human. 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. R.I.P. — Simon Barrett (@Simon_Barrett) March 25, 2020

Four fantastic Stuart Gordon movies that aren't RE-ANIMATOR. pic.twitter.com/xnllWlmygo — C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) March 25, 2020