Roger Corman

Roger Corman. An iconic American filmmaker, producer, and actor, he is a seminal figure in independent film known for his prolific output of low-budget genre movies. Dubbed "The Pope of Pop Cinema," his career launched the New Hollywood movement by mentoring countless future Oscar-winning directors and actors. His influential work in exploitation film and B movies established enduring templates for genres like science fiction and horror film.

Early life and education

Born in Detroit, he moved during his youth to Beverly Hills, California. He served in the United States Navy as a V-12 program engineer during World War II. Following his service, he attended Stanford University, graduating with a degree in industrial engineering. He briefly studied English literature at the University of Oxford before beginning his Hollywood career with a low-level job at 20th Century Fox.

Film career

His directorial debut was the Western The Fast and the Furious for American International Pictures. He gained fame for a rapid series of Gothic Edgar Allan Poe adaptations starring Vincent Price, including House of Usher and The Pit and the Pendulum. He founded his own production and distribution company, New World Pictures, in 1970, which became a major force in independent film distribution. The studio released acclaimed foreign art films like Ingmar Bergman's Cries and Whispers alongside its signature drive-in fare. Notable films he produced include the original ''The Little Shop of Horrors'', the biker film The Wild Angels, and the blaxploitation classic The Big Doll House. He received an Honorary Academy Award in 2009 for his unparalleled mentorship.

Influence and legacy

His most profound legacy is as a cinematic godfather, providing early career opportunities to numerous major figures in New Hollywood. Directors who began under his tutelage include Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, James Cameron, and Jonathan Demme. Actors like Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Sandra Bullock, and David Carradine received early roles in his films. His efficient, resourceful production methods, famously exemplified by the two-day shoot of The Little Shop of Horrors, became legendary within the industry. Film scholars credit his work with shaping the modern cult film and the business model of independent film. He was the subject of the documentary Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel.

Personal life

He has been married to producer Julie Corman since 1970, with whom he has collaborated on numerous projects. They have four children together. He is known for his disciplined, frugal lifestyle despite his significant impact on the film industry. An avid art collector, he and his wife have donated significant works to institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. He continues to be active in film production into his nineties, maintaining an office in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

Filmography

His vast filmography spans hundreds of titles as director or producer. Key directorial works include A Bucket of Blood (1959), The Masque of the Red Death (1964), and The Trip (1967). Notable production credits encompass Death Race 2000 (1975), Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979), and the 1990 film Frankenstein Unbound. He also directed the Bram Stoker's Dracula adaptation for New World Pictures. His later executive producer credits include numerous Syfy channel films like Dinoshark.

Category:American film directors Category:American film producers Category:Best Picture Academy Award winners