Terror-meister and master of the gory slasher thriller who began career as stage manager and actor before making his directorial debut with the pseudo-documentary porn film, "Together" (1971; on which another future contemporary master of horror, Wes Craven, served as assistant producer). After producing Craven's cult horror favorite, "Last House on the Left" (1972), Cunningham directed a series of low-budget films, hitting the jackpot with the premier "Friday the 13th" (1980). He has since concentrated on producing, forming Cunningham Productions in 1984, which made "House" (1984) and its 1985 sequel.