Director David R Ellis found dead in Jhb
2013-01-08 07:24
Los Angeles - David R Ellis, the stuntman-turned-director of
Snakes on a Plane, has died. He was 60 years old.
Ellis' manager, David Gardner, confirmed the director's death on Monday and said Ellis' body was found in a hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ellis was in Johannesburg working on
Kite, a remake of the 1998 Japanese anime film that was to have starred
Snakes on a Plane actor Samuel L Jackson.
Gardner declined to provide additional details, and no cause of death has been released.
"So sad to hear of David R. Ellis passing!" Jackson tweeted on Monday. "So talented, so kind, such a Good Friend. He'll be missed. Gone too soon!"
Ellis' directing credits include
Shark Night 3D,
The Final Destination,
Cellular and
Final Destination 2.
He also worked on such films as
Misery,
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and
Waterworld.
Ellis began his Hollywood career as an actor in the 1970s before moving into stunts and directing.
He is survived by his wife and three children.