Roger Corman, influential B movie pioneer, dies at 79

He became famous for his low-budget productions and was dubbed the "king of B movies". Roger Corman, an American producer, director, and actor, passed away at 79. His family announced his death.

Roger Corman was born in 1926 in Detroit, Michigan. With World War II raging, he served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946. He later graduated from Stanford University with a degree in industrial engineering. Despite this, films captured his interest more than engineering did. He started his directing career with the independent studio American Releasing Company, later known as American International Pictures.

Corman became renowned for creating films on a shoestring budget. In the 1950s, at the start of his career, he targeted teenagers with low-budget science fiction, monster movies, and horrors. Over the years, he produced over 400 films that reached cinema screens and television. Some of his most notable works include "The Fall of the House of Usher", "The Pit and the Pendulum", "The Trip", and "The Little Shop of Horrors". In recognition of his contributions to cinema, Corman was honoured with an Oscar for his lifetime achievements in 2009.

In his studios, figures like Martin Scorsese ("Boxcar Bertha") and Francis Ford Coppola ("Dementia 13") directed some of their early works. Corman is also credited with kick-starting the Hollywood careers of legends such as Jack Nicholson ("The Little Shop of Horrors") and Robert De Niro ("Boxcar Bertha").

The sad news of Corman's death was conveyed by his family via social media, expressing their grief. They shared insights into how the "king of B movies" wanted to be remembered.

"We remember Roger Corman, our beloved husband and father, with deep sadness and immense gratitude for his remarkable life. He passed away surrounded by his loved ones on May 9 in Santa Monica, California. He is survived by his wife, Julie, and daughters, Catherine and Mary. Known for his generosity, openness, and kindness, he was dearly loved by everyone who knew him. As a devoted and selfless father, he earned deep admiration from his daughters. His films were groundbreaking and rebellious, embodying the zeitgeist. When asked about his desired legacy, he stated: "I was a filmmaker"," it said.

John Howard Carpenter, a director famous for iconic horror films like "Halloween" and "The Thing", also paid his respects to the legend on the platform X. He mentioned how Corman's work significantly influenced his career.

"Roger Corman, a major influence in my life, has passed away. It was an honour to know him. He was a great friend. His science fiction films and Edgar Allan Poe adaptations shaped my childhood. I will miss you, Roger," the film director and screenwriter John Howard Carpenter shared on social media.