Tobe Hooper, ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ Director, Dies at 74

The world has lost another horror icon. Variety reports that “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Poltergeist” director Tobe Hooper has died, though the cause of death is not currently known. He was 74.

Produced for less than $300,000 and featuring a cast of nonprofessional actors, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is among the most influential genre films ever made — as well as the first in a franchise that’s still producing sequels more than 40 years later. Hooper co-wrote and directed the film, eventually helming its first sequel 12 years later; among his many other works are the cult classic “Lifeforce” and the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot.”