All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are sad to learn that filmmaker Mark Jones, the writer and director of the 1993 horror movie Leprechaun, has passed away at the age of 72.
Variety reports that Jones passed away after a brief stay at West Hills Hospital in Los Angeles.
In the wake of creating an enduring horror icon, Mark Jones went on to direct the films Rumpelstiltskin (1995), Quiet Kill (2004), Triloquist (2008), and Scorned (2013).
Mark Jones, who got his start in cartoons, also wrote and story edited for countless popular TV shows over the years including What’s New Mr. Magoo?, Super Friends, The All-New Popeye Hour, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, Plastic Man, The A-Team, The Fall Guy, Knight Rider, ALF, Werewolf, Police Academy: The Animated Series, Superboy, and Mega Man.
Longtime friend Scott Baio wrote in a touching tribute on Twitter this afternoon, “Mark was a truly kind and gentle soul who loved animals and cared deeply about the people around him. He was one of the best writers I’ve ever had the honor of working with, and he was very much a part of our extended family. I will miss him more than words can say.”
We send our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Mark Jones.