Writer-director John Lafia, who co-wrote the 1988 horror movie Child's Play and directed its 1990 sequel has died. He was 63.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office, Lafia died by suicide on April 29.
Lafia's family confirmed his passing in a statement to Deadline.
It is with great sadness we announce that loving father, film and television writer, director, producer and musician John J. Lafia passed away on Wednesday, April 29, the statement said.
Child's Play creator and screenwriter Don Mancini remembered Lafia as the one of the most creative persons he has ever worked with.
We're devastated to hear of the passing of our friend John Lafia. He was a crucial part of the Chucky family from the very beginning. He co-wrote the original Child's Play' script along with director Tom Holland and myself, and John directed Child's Play 2' -- the consensus favorite film among Chucky fans.
He was one of the most naturally curious and constantly creative people I ever met, someone who was always taking pictures, and jotting down ideas. We'll miss him terribly. Much love to his wife Beverly and his children Kane and Tess, of whom John was so very proud, Mancini said in a statement.
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Lafia was born on April 2, 1957. He received a bachelor of fine arts degree in motion picture and television from UCLA and went on to work in the art department on Repo Man and Space Raiders before moving to screenwriting.
His first major project as writer-director was 1988's The Blue Iguana. He then score a big hit with 1993's Man's Best Friend, and followed it up with horror classic Child's Play.
Lafia was the one to name the evil doll Chucky' and contribute the famous line Hi, I'm Chucky, wanna play?