'Child’s Play 2' director John Lafia dies by suicide at age 63
'Child’s Play 2' director and 'Child's Play' screenwriter John Lafia committed suicide on April 29 in Los Angeles, California, and his family confirmed the news of his death through a press statement.
According to a report in Deadline, Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office confirmed that it was a suicide. The director was 63 years old and the statement from his family read, "It is with great sadness we announce that loving father, film and television writer, director, producer, and musician John J. Lafia passed away on Wednesday, April 29."
According to a report in Hollywood Reporter, creator, and screenwriter Don Mancini also released a statement about Lafia's death. In the statement, he said, "We’re devastated to hear of the passing of our friend John Lafia. He was a crucial part of the Chucky family from the very beginning. He co-wrote the original Child's Play script along with director Tom Holland and myself, and John directed Child's Play 2 — the consensus favorite film among Chucky fans."
He added, "John was an incredibly generous artist," and further continued, "He let me tag along with him to every meeting, and shadow him on set; he taught me more about filmmaking during the production of that movie than several semesters in film school. John was also one of the most naturally curious and constantly creative people I ever met, someone who was always taking pictures, and jotting down ideas. We’ll miss him terribly. Much love to his wife Beverly and his children Kane and Tess, of whom John was so very proud."
Lafia's first big credit was for writing and directing 1988’s 'The Blue Iguana'. This is a crime film starring Dylan McDermott, which was selected for a midnight showing in the official selection at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival. In 1993, Lafia wrote and directed sci-fi comedy 'Man’s Best Friend'. Other than 'Child's Play' and 'Child's Play 2', Lafia also wrote, directed, and produced the TV mini-series '10.5' in 2004 and its spinoff '10.5: Apocalypse' in 2006.
Lafia is survived by his children Tess and Kane, and his former wife Beverly.
