“I need me gold!”
We have sad news to pass along as Variety has reported that Leprechaun writer/director Mark Jones has passed away at the age of 72 at West Hills Hospital in Los Angeles. His death was confirmed by his frequent collaborator George Saadi.
Released on January 8, 1993, Leprechaun took in a total of $8.5 million against a budget of $900,000. Directed by Jones, the film starred Warwick Davis, Jennifer Aniston, Ken Olandt, Mark Holton, and Robert Gorman.
Over time, the Leprechaun series grew into a formidable horror franchise, boasting a total of eight films.
Jones was also well-versed in Saturday morning cartoons, writing and developing stories for numerous programs, including Scooby’s Laff-A-Lympics, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, The All-New Super Friends Hour, Fangface, Heathcliff, Mister T, and Turbo Teen.
In addition to his animation work, he contributed to a wide range of live-action television and film projects such as Night Man, Superboy, The Highwayman, Werewolf, ALF, Knight Rider, The Fall Guy, as well as feature films including Rumpelstiltskin, Quiet Kill, Triloquist, and Scorned.
The team at Horror News Network would like to offer our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Jones.
