Director Wes Craven has died aged 76

The director was acclaimed in the horror genre, with his first feature 'The House on the Left' released in 1972. He helped reinvent the genre with his Freddy Kruger classic in the 1980s, and again with teen slasher series 'Scream' in the 1990s.

Stars including Courteney Cox have paid tribute to Wes on Twitter.

The 'Friends' actress - who appeared in all four 'Scream' movies -

wrote: "Today the world lost a great man, my friend and mentor, Wes Craven. My heart goes out to his family. x (sic)"

Sarah Michelle Gellar added: "I had the great privilege of working with #WesCraven one of the kindest most gentle souls, who made great scary films. #RIPWesCraven (sic)"

'Frozen' star Josh Gad wrote: "#WesCraven was the maestro of my nightmares growing up throughout the 80's. And those same nightmares gave me my passion 4 horror films. RIP (sic)"

'Scream' actress Rose McGowan revealed she was "shedding tears",

writing: "Thank you for being the kindest man, the gentlest man, and one of the smartest men I've known. Please say there's a plot twist.

#wescraven

"Shedding tears now. A giant has left us. #wescraven #always #liveon (sic)"