Iconic movie director Wes Craven dead at 76

Wes Craven, the iconic writer-director of horror films such as Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream and many others, died of cancer at age 76 his family announced. Craven was the mastermind of pop culture icons Freddy Krueger and Ghost-face from Scream.

He says he got the idea for Elm Street when living next to a cemetery on Elm St. in his hometown.

Meanwhile, his Scream movies spoofed the horror genre by making fun of various horror movie clichés.

Craven created classics like The Hills Have Eyes and The Last House on the Left, which have since been remade.

He also directed the drama "Music of the Heart," which earned Meryl Streep an Oscar nomination.

During his career, Craven won nine cinematic awards and received three nominations including:

'Prize of the International Critics' Jury' in the "Sitges – Catalonian International Film Festival" for his film The Hills Have Eyes.

The 'Critic's Award' at the "Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival" for A Nightmare on Elm Street.

The Gérardmer Film Festival granted him the Grand Prize in 1997 for Scream.

And in 2006, he was honored at Spike TV's Scream with the Mastermind Award (the tribute was presented to him by Neve Campbell).

Craven is survived by his wife, producer Iya Labunka, a son, a daughter and a stepdaughter.