Roger Corman, Pioneering Filmmaker and Mentor to Hollywood Stars, Dies at 98

Roger Corman, the acclaimed filmmaker known as the “King of the Bs,” has passed away at the age of 98 in his home in Santa Monica, California. Corman’s daughter, Catherine Corman, announced his death and described him as a generous and kind individual. Throughout his career, Corman produced and directed hundreds of films, including cult classics like “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Attack of the Crab Monsters.” He was also instrumental in launching the careers of many Hollywood actors and directors.

Corman had a keen eye for spotting talent and gave opportunities to aspiring filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola, Ron Howard, James Cameron, and Martin Scorsese. His ability to work with limited budgets allowed for more experimentation and creativity. In a documentary about Val Lewton, a director from the 1940s, Corman acknowledged the constraints of low-budget filmmaking but also highlighted the unique opportunities it presented.

The influence of Corman’s films can be seen in the golden age of Hollywood in the 1970s. Notable actors like Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Bruce Dern, and Ellen Burstyn got their start in Corman movies. Peter Fonda’s appearance in “The Wild Angels” served as a precursor to his iconic role in “Easy Rider,” which also featured Nicholson and fellow Corman collaborator Dennis Hopper. Additionally, Martin Scorsese directed an early film, “Boxcar Bertha,” starring Barbara Hershey and David Carradine.

Corman’s directors faced tight schedules and minuscule budgets, sometimes having to complete a film in just five days. Even when Ron Howard, who would later win an Academy Award for Best Director, asked for extra time to reshoot a scene in “Grand Theft Auto,” Corman firmly rejected the request. Despite these challenges, Corman’s films gained recognition beyond drive-ins and specialty theaters as national chains began to embrace his work. His films were known for their openness regarding sex and drugs, as seen in the 1967 release “The Trip,” a story about LSD written by Nicholson and starring Fonda and Hopper.

In addition to his success in producing low-budget films, Corman also found success in releasing prestigious foreign films in the United States. Titles such as Ingmar Bergman’s “Cries and Whispers,” Federico Fellini’s “Amarcord,” and Volker Schlondorff’s “The Tin Drum” received critical acclaim and even won Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film.

Corman’s journey in the film industry began as a messenger boy for Twentieth Century-Fox, eventually working his way up to become a story analyst. After a brief hiatus to study English literature at Oxford, he returned to Hollywood and embarked on his career as a producer and director. Despite his reputation for being frugal, Corman maintained excellent relationships with his directors and took pride in never firing one.

Later in his life, Corman received recognition from those he had supported early in their careers. Francis Ford Coppola cast him in “The Godfather, Part II,” Jonathan Demme included him in “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Philadelphia,” and Ron Howard gave him a role in “Apollo 13.” Although most of Corman’s films may have been forgotten over time, one exception is the 1960 film “Little Shop of Horrors,” which inspired a long-lasting stage musical and a successful 1986 adaptation.

Corman also made a mark with his series of films based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. One notable film from this series was “The Raven,” which brought together Nicholson with horror legends Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and Basil Rathbone. Another Poe adaptation, “House of Usher,” was deemed worthy of preservation by the Library of Congress.

Throughout his career, Corman received offers from major studios, directing films like “The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” and “Von Richthofen and Brown.” However, both films were disappointments, and Corman attributed their failure to interference from the front office.

Born in Detroit and raised in Beverly Hills, Corman attended Stanford University, where he earned a degree in engineering. After a brief period in the Navy, he pursued a career in Hollywood. In 1964, he married Julie Halloran, who also became a producer. They had three children together: Catherine, Roger, and Brian.

Roger Corman leaves behind a lasting legacy in the film industry. His ability to work with limited resources and launch the careers of aspiring filmmakers has left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Although many of his films may have been forgotten by the general public, his contributions to the industry will always be remembered.