I was 6 years old. My parents were in the living room, and I snuck into their bedroom (where the only other TV was) to watch A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3: Dream Warriors on Channel 11’s “movie of the week.” I met Freddy Krueger, and I was hooked forever. At 33, I am a horror fanatic and gorehound, and I owe it all to Wes Craven and his most intimidating creation. Tonight, with a tear in my eye, I’m writing that Wes Craven, one of the pillars of the horror film world for over 40 years, has passed away from brain cancer, according to Deadline. He was 76.

More on this legendary icon, and watch him in the video here below talking about what he loved.