Sean S. Cunningham (1941-)
Born: December 31, 1941 (New York, NY)
A film director, producer, and writer, Cunningham is best known for creating the Friday the 13th series and introduced the world to the goalie mask wearing Jason Voorhees. He produced Wes Craven's debut feature, The Last House on the Left and later served as producer for the remake of the film. Cunningham was inspired by John Carpenter's Halloween (1978), wanted Friday the 13th to be shocking, visually stunning, and "[make] you jump out of your seat".
After an earlier foray into comedy Cunningham's notable productions in the horror genre include: House (1986) and A Stranger is Watching (1986). He also produced Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993), Jason X (2001), Freddy vs Jason (2003) and the remake of the film Friday the 13th (2009). The S in his name stands for Sexton.
A film director, producer, and writer, Cunningham is best known for creating the Friday the 13th series and introduced the world to the goalie mask wearing Jason Voorhees. He produced Wes Craven's debut feature, The Last House on the Left and later served as producer for the remake of the film. Cunningham was inspired by John Carpenter's Halloween (1978), wanted Friday the 13th to be shocking, visually stunning, and "[make] you jump out of your seat".
After an earlier foray into comedy Cunningham's notable productions in the horror genre include: House (1986) and A Stranger is Watching (1986). He also produced Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993), Jason X (2001), Freddy vs Jason (2003) and the remake of the film Friday the 13th (2009). The S in his name stands for Sexton.
Cunningham discusses Friday the 13th's score
The making of Friday the 13th
Fangoria frightfest interview with cunngingham
Additional viewing
Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film. Writer: J. Elbert Bell, Rachel Belofsky. Starz Entertainment. 2006.