The Little Shop Of Horrors director and Oscar winner Roger Corman dead at age 98: 'He was generous, open-hearted and kind'

Roger Corman - who is known for his influence in independent cinema and for directing The Little Shop Of Horrors (1960) - passed away at the age of 98 earlier this week on Thursday, May 9. 

The Oscar-winning filmmaker died at his home in Santa Monica, and his daughter Catherine Corman, shared a statement to the Associated Press, per Deadline. 

'He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,' she expressed, and added, 'When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, "I was a filmmaker, just that."' 

Corman is survived by his daughter Catherine and three other children he shared with wife, Julie - whom he tied the knot with in 1970. 

Roger not only directed, but also starred in and produced a number of films throughout the course of his expansive career. 

Roger Corman - who is known for his influence in independent cinema and for directing The Little Shop Of Horrors (1960) - passed away at the age of 98 earlier this week on Thursday, May 9; seen in 2019 in Hollywood 

Roger not only directed, but also starred in and produced a number of films throughout the course of his expansive career

The director also helped mentor and launch the career of other directors and actors in Hollywood, such as Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern and also Peter Fonda. 

Corman was given a few different nicknames over the years, including 'The King of Cult', 'King of the Bs' and also 'The Pope of Pop Cinema.' 

The star was born in 1926 in Detroit, Michigan and had a younger brother named Gene who was also involved in the film industry. 

Roger later studied at Beverly Hills High School, followed by Stanford University - where he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering.

Before he graduated, the director took time off from school and enlisted in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. 

After finishing college, Corman began a short-lived job in his degree field, but quickly realized his passion belonged to filmmaking - which he then pursued. 

His career in Hollywood began by working in the mail room at 20th Century Fox and then he later became a story reader. 

However, he soon moved to England where he studied English Literature at Oxford University. 

The Oscar-winning filmmaker died at his home in Santa Monica, and his daughter Catherine Corman, shared a statement to the Associated Press, per Deadline; seen in 2013 in L.A. 

'He was generous, open-hearted and kind to all those who knew him,' she expressed, and added, 'When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, "I was a filmmaker, just that"'; seen with daughter Catherine (left) and wife Julie in 2023 

The director also helped mentor and launch the career of other directors and actors in Hollywood, such as Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern and also Peter Fonda; seen in 2018 in NYC 

Corman returned to Hollywood and eventually produced his first feature film titled Monster From The Ocean Floor in 1954. 

He then produced the 1955 film, The Fast And The Furious - which was directed by John Ireland, who also starred in the movie. 

Roger continued to produce and also direct films, such as the sci-fi horror film titled Attack Of The Crab Monster (1957). 

Other films in the horror genre that he directed included A Bucket Of Blood (1959) as well as The Little Shop Of Horrors (1960) - which also cast Jack Nicholson. Two years earlier, the actor had also starred in Corman's film called The Cry Baby Killer. 

He also adapted a number of Edgar Allen Poe stories into movies, such as House Of Usher (1960), The Pit And The Pendulum (1961) and The Masque Of The Red Death (1964) - which starred Vincent Price. 

While talking to Paste Magazine in 2022, Corman reflected on his favorite Poe adaptation that he did and stated, 'Well, the very first one, House Of Usher, was my first experience working with Vincent Price, and I've always liked it.' 

'But I think probably the best was Masque Of The Red Death which I shot in England,' he revealed.

'My pictures were doing very well in England, and the distributors suggested that I come to England and make a Poe picture there to take advantage of the English subsidy.' 

He also adapted a number of Edgar Allen Poe stories into movies, such as House Of Usher (1960), The Pit And The Pendulum (1961) and The Masque Of The Red Death (1964) - which starred Vincent Price

On the topic of kickstarting careers of big names in Hollywood, Roger expressed, 'I'm delighted to see that so many of the men and women who started with me have gone on to such big successes'; seen with actor Dennis Hopper in 2005 

In 1970, he notably worked with both Robert de Niro and Bruce Dern in the crime thriller called, Bloody Mama.  

On the topic of kickstarting careers of big names in Hollywood, Roger expressed, 'I'm delighted to see that so many of the men and women who started with me have gone on to such big successes.'

'I'm on friendly terms with all of them, and I frankly just think it's wonderful,' the filmmaker added. 

While a large portion of his work took place with both directing and producing, Corman also had the chance to take on acting roles in a variety of movies. 

He made an appearance in The Godfather Part II (1974) where he portrayed a senator. Roger also starred in The Silence Of The Lambs (1991), Philadelphia (1993) as well as Apollo 13 (1995). 

On the star's official IMDB page, Corman has a total of 56 directing credits, 46 acting credits and a whopping 493 producing credits. 

He also received recognition for his work in the film industry for decades, such as becoming the youngest producer/director to give a retrospective at Cinematheque Francais in 1964. 

In 1990, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Stockholm International Film Festival. Eight years later, he received the first-ever Producer's Award at the Cannes Film Festival. 

While a large portion of his work took place with both directing and producing, Corman also had the chance to take on acting roles in a variety of movies

On the star's official IMDB page, Corman has a total of 56 directing credits, 46 acting credits and a whopping 493 producing credits

In 2009, Roger was the recipient of an Honory Oscar and during his speech, touched on the topic of risk-taking. 

'Many of my friends and compatriots and people who've started with me are here tonight, and they've all succeeded,' he stated, per The Hollywood Reporter. 

'Some of them succeeded to an extraordinary degree. And I believe they've succeeded because they had the courage to take chances, to gamble.' 

'But they gambled because they knew the odds were with them; they knew they had the ability to create what they wanted to make,' he added. 

'It's very easy for a major studio or somebody else to repeat their successes, to spend vast amounts of money on remakes, on special effects-driven tentpole franchise films.'

Roger continued, 'But I believe the finest films being done today are done by the original, innovative filmmakers who have the courage to take a chance and to gamble. So I say to you, "Keep gambling, keep taking chances."' 

He also received recognition for his work in the film industry for decades, such as becoming the youngest producer/director to give a retrospective at Cinematheque Francais in 1964; seen in 2007 in Hollywood 

Upon hearing the news of his passing, Halloween director John Carpenter took to X and penned, 'Roger Corman, one the most influential movie directors in my life, has passed away'

Upon hearing the news of his passing, Halloween director John Carpenter took to X on Saturday and penned, 'Roger Corman, one the most influential movie directors in my life, has passed away.' 

'It was my privilege to know him. He was a great friend. He shaped my childhood with science fiction movies and Edgar Allen Poe epics. I'll miss you, Roger.' 

Social media users jumped to the comment section, with one typing, 'RIP, Roger Corman. He inspired so many people who saw that it was possible to become an independent filmmaker.'

Another wrote, 'One of the greats- loved watching his films w/ Vincent Price on my Dads 35mm projector as a kid. The golden age of film.'