Manager: 'Snakes on a Plane' director David R. Ellis dies at age 60

Derrik J. Lang / The Associated Press
January 7, 2013

FILE - In this July 21, 2006 file photo, actor Samuel L. Jackson, left, poses outside with director David R. Ellis at Comic-Con International in San Diego. Ellis' manager, David Gardner, confirmed his death Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, but declined to provide additional details. Ellis' directing credits included "Snakes on a Plane," "Shark Night 3D,” “The Final Destination,” “Cellular” “Final Destination 2,” among other films. (AP Photo/Chris Park, File)

David R. Ellis, the actor-turned-stuntman-turned-director of "Snakes on a Plane," has died. He was 60 years old.

Ellis' manager, David Gardner, confirmed his death Monday and said Ellis' body was found in a hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa. Ellis was in Johannesburg working on "Kite," a remake of the 1998 Japanese anime film that was to have starred "Snakes on a Plane" actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Gardner declined to provide additional details, and no cause of death has been released.

"So sad to hear of David R. Ellis passing!" Jackson tweeted Monday. "So talented, so kind, such a Good Friend. He'll be missed. Gone too soon!"

Ellis' directing credits include "Shark Night 3D," ''The Final Destination," ''Cellular" and "Final Destination 2." He also worked on such films as "Misery," ''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Waterworld." Ellis began his Hollywood career as an actor in the 1970s before moving into stunts and directing.

He is survived by his wife and three children.