Renowned filmmaker Roger Corman, known for his contributions to the world of low-budget and genre films, passed away on May 9, 2024 at the age of 98. Born on April 5, 1926, Corman began his Hollywood career as a mailroom clerk for Twentieth Century Fox in 1950. After not receiving credit for his notes provided on The Gunfighter starring Gregory Peck, he left the studio to start his own production company. His first successful film was Monster from the Ocean Floor in 1954, which set the stage for a prolific career spanning over six decades.
Throughout his life, Corman produced or wrote for hundreds of movies across various genres such as sci-fi, horror, and action. His work helped launch the careers of numerous actors and directors including Jack Nicholson, William Shatner, Diane Ladd, James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, Joe Dante, and Martin Scorsese. Corman also handled US distribution for films directed by foreign filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman and Federico Fellini.
Corman's businesses ranged from New World Pictures to his comic book imprint Roger Corman's Cosmic Comics. He kept the B-movie genre alive by producing or writing for numerous films, some of which include Slumber Party Massacre II, Supergator, and Fantastic Four.
Corman was recognized for his contributions to film throughout his career. In 2023, he received a Distinguished Storyteller Award from the Los Angeles Press Club and similar honors from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Producer's Guild. He is survived by his wife Julie and their two daughters.
Corman was known for his innovative approach to filmmaking, often producing movies at a fast pace with minimal budgets. His films were celebrated for their ability to capture the spirit of an age, as Corman himself once said, ‘I was a filmmaker, just that.”
