Legendary B-movie king Roger Corman, who directed and produced hundreds of low-budget films and discovered such future industry stars as Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro, has died. He was 98.
Corman’s empire, which existed in several incarnations including New World Pictures and Concorde/New Horizons, was as active as any major studio and, he boasted, always profitable. He specialized in fast-paced, low-budget genre movies, ranging from horror and action to science fiction and even some family fare. His company became a work-in-training ground for a wide variety of major talents, from actors like Nicholson and De Niro to directors like Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola.
When asked how he would like to be remembered, Corman simply said, “I was a filmmaker, just that.” His films were revolutionary and iconoclastic, capturing the spirit of an age. Corman’s legacy lies not only in his prolific output but also in his ability to recognize and nurture talent. He believed in giving opportunities to actors and filmmakers, looking beyond age, race, and gender.
Corman hailed film as “the only truly modern art form,” acknowledging the constant compromise between art and business. His films were a testament to his ability to balance creativity and profitability, as his low-budget productions consistently garnered success at the box office. He was a master at tapping into cultural trends and creating movies that resonated with audiences.
One of Corman’s greatest achievements was his revival of the B-movie market, which had largely disappeared in the wake of television. He kept it alive almost single-handedly, producing and distributing films for
