ArieScope mourns the passing of Melissa Mathison and Gunnar Hansen, two wonderful talents who passed away this week.

Writer Melissa Mathison wrote some of the greatest films of our lifetime such as E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL, THE BLACK STALLION, KUNDUN, and THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD.  Adam Green: “Though I may have lost a personal hero and though Hollywood may have lost an incredible talent… Melissa’s work will live on and continue to touch, inspire, and change the world forever… generation after generation after generation. Thank you for bringing E.T. into all of our lives and for changing all of us for the better, Melissa. Thank you for helping me find my true calling in life and for your screenplay’s undeniable message of tolerance and acceptance.  E.T. will forever illustrate that pure friendship and unconditional love can transcend all earthly human boundaries and exist in all life forms across the entire universe. Be good. You’ll be right here.”

Melissa Mathison (1950 – 2015)

Actor Gunnar Hansen will always be best known for his portrayal of the original “Leatherface” in the seminal 1974 classic THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.  Adam Green: “Gunnar was a gentle giant and a true icon in our genre.  His smiling face, hearty laughter, and extraordinarily kind demeanor will be deeply missed by all.  If you were fortunate enough to get to meet Gunnar at one of his many convention appearances then you know just what a wonderful human being ‘the man behind the mask’ actually was. “Leatherface’s” chainsaw will continue to buzz in our hearts forever as every CHAINSAW fan knows that “the saw is family.”

Gunnar Hansen (1947 – 2015)