Roger Corman, Renowned and Influential American Filmmaker, Passes Away at 98

Roger Corman, the famous director and producer known for low-budget and independent commercial films, who helped many filmmakers and actors enter the cinema in America over the decades, passed away at the age of 98. His wife and daughters announced on Sunday, May 12, that he died last Thursday at his home in Santa Monica, California. Julie, Mr. Corman's wife, and his daughters Catherine and Mary stated that 'his films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, capturing the spirit of an era.' Corman received an honorary lifetime Oscar in 2009 for 'his rich film production and nurturing of filmmakers.' Over more than six decades of activity, he produced over 300 films and directed about 50. His first film as a director was made in 1955. His works were filled with strange, interesting, and crazy moments. Known as 'B movies,' these films were shot quickly and at low cost, with only a handful being unprofitable. He was also considered a skilled talent scout, with many actors like Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Sandra Bullock, Talia Shire, William Shatner, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper entering cinema through collaboration with him. However, he was more renowned for nurturing famous directors. Corman hired promising young filmmakers who could work on a low budget. Martin Scorsese directed 'Boxcar Bertha' (1972) for Corman before making works like 'Taxi Driver' and 'Raging Bull.' Francis Ford Coppola directed 'Dementia 13' (1963) produced by Roger Corman before his masterpiece 'The Godfather.' Jonathan Demme was the director of Corman's 'Crazy Mama' (1976) before gaining fame through 'The Silence of the Lambs.' Ron Howard directed 'Grand Theft Auto' (1977) for Corman years before 'A Beautiful Mind.' All four of these prominent filmmakers have won the Oscar for Best Director. Peter Bogdanovich directed Corman's 'Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women' (1968) before making 'The Last Picture Show,' and James Cameron was the art designer for Corman's 'Battle Beyond the Stars' (1980) years before his fame as the creator of the 'Terminator' series. Roger Corman was still active at the age of 90. In a 2010 interview, he stated, 'I believe that for long-term cinematic success, you must understand that you are working in both an art and a business; unless you are a true genius in filmmaking like Federico Fellini or Ingmar Bergman.'