Leprechaun creator and filmmaker Mark Jones dies at 72

Mark Jones passed away

• Filmmaker Mark Jones, creator of Leprechaun, has died at age 72 in Los Angeles
• Jones was known for cult horror films and animating Scooby-Doo, Pink Panther
• A private memorial service for Mark Jones is planned in the coming days

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Filmmaker Mark Jones, who is most known for his portrayal of the cunning horror icon Leprechaun, has passed away. He was 72.

After a brief hospitalisation at West Hills Hospital, the veteran filmmaker and animation writer passed away in Los Angeles on January 16.

George Saadi, Jones' friend and lifelong collaborator, confirmed Mark Jones' passing to Variety. He was only a few hours away from turning 73 on January 17.

With Leprechaun (1992), a B-horror comedy that became a mainstay of popular culture, Jones made a distinctive name for himself in cult cinema.

Jennifer Aniston had one of her first on-screen performances in the movie, which starred Warwick Davis in the title character. Seven sequels were produced as a result of its success, with Leprechaun Returns coming out in 2018.

Beyond the franchise, Mark Jones directed NightMan (1997), a made-for-TV movie about a musician struck by lightning who develops the capacity to detect evil through sound frequencies, and Rumpelstiltskin (1995), a darker feature-length adaptation of the traditional fairy tale.

Mark Jones had a solid background in animation even before he entered the horror genre. After selling his first story to Filmation Studios, he went on to work at DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, where he wrote for well-known characters like The Pink Panther and Mister Magoo. He continued his animation career with Hanna-Barbera, where he worked as a writer and story editor on various Scooby-Doo titles and Super Friends.

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Fangface, Yogi's Space Race, Plastic Man, Heathcliff, and Mister T were among his other animation credits.

Later, Mark Jones made the switch to live-action television, contributing to well-known programs including Superboy, Riptide, The A-Team, The Fall Guy, and The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo. He continued to direct feature pictures in the ensuing years, such as Quiet Kill (2004), Triloquist (2008), and Scorned (2013).

In the upcoming days, a private memorial service is anticipated.