Tobe Hooper (January 25, 1943 – August 26, 2017) was an influential American filmmaker recognized for his groundbreaking work in the horror genre. Born in Austin, Texas, he made his feature debut with Eggshells in 1969 before co-writing and directing the iconic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre in 1974, a film widely regarded as a cornerstone of horror cinema. Hooper also directed notable works such as Eaten Alive, the Stephen King adaptation Salem's Lot, the slasher film The Funhouse, and the acclaimed supernatural hit Poltergeist, produced by Steven Spielberg. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he continued to shape the horror and science fiction landscape with films like Lifeforce, Invaders from Mars, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, and The Mangler. His later career included directing projects such as Crocodile and episodes for television series like Taken and Masters of Horror. The British Film Institute has named Hooper as one of the most influential horror filmmakers of all time.