Overview
- A statement posted by his family on X confirmed he died at his Melbourne home on March 16.
- They said he had been preparing to direct another film and remained active mentoring and supporting fellow filmmakers.
- Blanks was best known for directing the slasher films Urban Legend (1998) and Valentine (2001), followed by Storm Warning (2007) and Long Weekend/Nature’s Grave (2008).
- He increasingly worked as a composer in later years, with credits including Crawlspace and the 2025 horror feature What Are You Afraid Of?.
- He is survived by his wife, Simone, and son, Oliver, as tributes from the horror community continue to honor his influence and generosity.