Child’s Play co-screenwriter John Lafia dead at 63 by suicide
Beloved screenwriter John Lafia has died at age 63.
The co-writer of iconic horror films Child’s Play and Child’s Play 2 died by suicide April 29 at his LA home, according to Variety.
Lafia’s collaborator Don Mancini said he was ‘devastated’ to learn of the news in a statement issues by Lafia’s family.
Tragic: Screenwriter John Lafia has died by suicide at the age of 63. He’s seen in 2004 above
‘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,’ Mancini said of the creative, who also directed Chucky 2.
‘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.
‘John was an incredibly generous artist. He let me tag along with him to every meeting, and shadow him on set; he taught me more about filmmaking during the production of that movie than several semesters in film school.
Credits: Lafia co-wrote the iconic horror films Child’s Play and Child’s Play 2
‘John was also one of the most naturally curious and constantly creative people I ever met, someone who was always taking pictures, and jotting down ideas.’
Born in 1957, Lafia studied film at UCLA, receiving a BFA in Motion Picture and Television.
His first film credit was on 1988’s The Blue Iguana. He wrote and directed the Dylan McDermott-fronted action film, also producing the soundtrack.
The film was officially selected for a midnight showing at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.
He had box-office success with 1993’s Man’s Best Friend. The sci-fi movie, which he wrote and directed, debuted at number two at the box-office.