Roger Corman
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Hollywood spent the weekend paying tribute to independent filmmaker Roger Corman, who died last Thursday.
Known as the „B’s King”, Corman is a beloved producer and director who helped boost the careers of names like Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme and Gale Anne. Hurd and James Cameron. He died on Thursday at the age of 98.
„He was generous, open-minded and kind to all who knew him,” Gorman’s family said in a statement. „When asked how he wanted to be remembered, he said, 'I was a filmmaker, that’s all.'”
In response to the news of his passing, many who knew and worked with Corman paid tribute to the filmmaker online. „A great filmmaker and mentor” Howard wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “When I was 23, he gave me my first shot at directing. He started many businesses & quietly led our industry in important ways. Even at 98 he was sharp, keen and active. Thank you for knowing him.”
Joe Russo, one half of Hollywood’s Russo Brothers, wrote, “There is no modern Hollywood without the legendary writer, director and producer Roger Corman. His death at the age of 98 is a loss for the film industry. We are all indebted to him. Keep calm, maestro.
John Carpenter, the legendary horror director, wrote that Corman was „one of the most influential film directors in my life.” And, “It was my privilege to know him. He was a great friend. He shaped my childhood with science fiction movies and Edgar Allan Poe epics. I miss you, Roger.
See below for more tributes to Corman’s influence.