rfield's Back to School (1986).

In her review of The Blob, Janet Maslin in The New York Times called the movie  new and improved. It's a more professional effort in every way. The special effects look sickeningly good, and the actors show signs of being able to act, which could not be said of any members of the original cast - not even Steve McQueen, who was Steven McQueen then and appearing in his first major film role. 

In The Mask, Russell directed Carrey in a florescent green mask that turned the actor into an uncontrollable, large-toothed superhero. The oversized teeth of the character were originally to be used only during silent scenes, but Carrey learned to talk with them on to make his character even more cartoon-like.

Russell said he had  quite a battle with the studio  in order to hire Cameron Diaz as his leading lady.  The chemistry was so strong between her and Jim in the readings, I just had to fight for Cameron in that role,  he said in a 2022 interview.

After a long break from the movies, Russell directed I Am Wrath (2016), starring John Travolta, and they worked together again in Paradise City (2022). His last film was a 2024 remake of Witchboard, which he wrote and directed.

Survivors include his wife, Ania, whom he married in November 2007; and his children, Logan, Riley and Carlyn.

He described his career as  a bit of a magical mystery tour and a bit of an adventure. 

 I always compare a career in films to running away to join the circus; every movie is an entirely different experience,  he added.  There are amazing people to work with; from truck drivers to ballerinas to movie stars, everyone is essential to the process and eternally fascinating to me.

 People have mentioned in my career how people have done different genres. I started in horror, so people thought I was going to stick with that and become like a John Carpenter. I love movies, I'm a movie fan, and I think I would get horribly bored if I just stuck with one genre.