Jim Carrey has paid tribute to Chuck Russell, the director of The Mask, following Russell’s death aged 74. Carrey described the 1994 comedy as “one of the jewels” of his creative life, praising Russell for creating a playful, collaborative atmosphere that inspired the cast and crew.

Russell died on 22 July at his home near San Diego after emergency services attended a reported medical incident; no cause of death has been disclosed. The Mask was one of Carrey’s major breakthrough films in 1994, introduced Cameron Diaz to cinema audiences and earned an Oscar nomination for visual effects; Russell also directed A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, Eraser and The Scorpion King.