Tragic news has emerged this week as we learned of the passing of director Anthony Hickox, best known for his work on ‘Waxwork’ (1988) and ‘Hellraiser III,’ among other notable films. He was 64 years old at the time of his passing.

According to reports from Deadline, Hickox had been residing in Romania in recent years. Authorities discovered his lifeless body at his home in Bucharest after friends had expressed concern about not having seen him for an extended period, as confirmed by his close friend and InterTalent Rights Group CEO, Jonathan Shalit.

Hickox’s filmmaking career included directing ‘Waxwork,’ a beloved horror classic that remains a favorite among the staff at Bloody Disgusting. He also helmed its only sequel, ‘Waxwork II: Lost in Time’ (1992).

During the late ’80s and early ’90s, Hickox directed a string of other horror films, including ‘Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat’ (1989), starring Bruce Campbell, ‘Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth’ (1992), and ‘Warlock: The Armageddon’ (1993). Additionally, his directorial efforts extended to the 1990s with movies like ‘Full Eclipse’ (1993), ‘Payback’ (1995), ‘Invasion of Privacy’ (1996), and ‘Storm Catcher’ (1999).

Despite his extensive body of work, Hickox remained active as a filmmaker in more recent years. Some of his later directorial credits include ‘Last Run’ (2001), ‘Consequence’ (2003), ‘Submerged’ (2005), ‘Knife Edge’ (2009), and ‘Infamous Six’ (2020).

It’s worth noting that Hickox also contributed to the scripts for ‘Waxwork,’ ‘Waxwork II,’ and ‘Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat.’

Peter Atkins, the writer of ‘Hellraiser III,’ paid tribute to Hickox on Facebook, expressing his deep sorrow over the loss of a friend and colleague with whom he had collaborated for over three decades. Atkins highlighted Hickox’s impressive lineage in the film industry, as his father was Douglas Hickox, director of ‘Theatre of Blood,’ and his mother was the legendary Anne V. Coates, the Oscar-winning editor of ‘Lawrence of Arabia.’ Atkins remembered Hickox for his high-style and adrenaline-infused approach to horror, citing films like ‘Waxwork’ and ‘Warlock: The Armageddon’ as standout examples. He also praised Hickox’s vibrant energy, humor, and his unwavering commitment to keeping the party alive.

Anthony Hickox is survived by his son Sasha, his wife Madeline Anea, and his siblings Jim and Emma. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.