Wes Craven was an American director, writer, producer and actor known for his work in the horror genre, especially slasher films. Some of his most notable works include A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), which introduced the iconic villain Freddy Krueger, and the Scream franchise. Throughout his career, Craven directed many influential horror films and helped define the slasher subgenre. He brought a sense of humor and self-awareness to his films that played with horror conventions. Craven passed away in 2015 after a battle with brain cancer, but his films continue to inspire new generations of horror directors and fans.