Roger Corman

Roger Corman Headshot

Director • Producer • Actor

Birth Date: April 5, 1926

Death Date: May 9, 2024

Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan

Ever since the early 1950s, famed indie producer and sometime director Roger Corman turned out hundreds of low-budget genre flicks while revolutionizing the way films were made and distributed. Working outside the studio system, Corman established a record as one of the most commercially successful filmmakers in Hollywood history, having had about 90 percent of his films turn a profit.

Though he had made over 200 films in his career, there were a few that stood out as classics of their genre, including "Not of This Earth" (1957), "The Little Shop of Horrors" (1960), "The Raven" (1963), "Death Race 2000" (1975) and "Battle Beyond the Stars" (1980). Perhaps more important than being a success himself, Corman was singlehandedly responsible for launching numerous Hollywood careers, boasting some of the biggest names of the latter half of the 20th century as his protégés - Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, Joe Dante, Ron Howard, Peter Bogdanovich, John Sayles, Curtis Hanson and James Cameron, among many others, all of whom started their careers with Corman.

Meanwhile, in the 1970s, he helped such foreign directors as Akira Kurosawa, Francois Truffaut and Ingmar Bergman gain a distribution foothold in the United States when no one else would take the chance. Having been one of the first producers to recognize the financial advantages of shooting in Europe while he used sets discarded from other lavish, expensive movies for his own films, it was no wonder that Corman, once dubbed the "King of the B's," had become one of the most prolific and successful producers of his day.

Credits

The Last Drive-In Live: A Tribute to Roger Corman

Guest
Show
2024

Charles Band's Full Moon Freakshow

Actor
Show
2022

Roger Corman's Birthday Marathon: Interview With Brendon Small

Actor
Show
2021

Abduction

Executive Producer
Movie
2019

Memory: The Origins of Alien

Self
Movie
2019

Dr. Jack and Mr. Nicholson

Self
Show
2018

Eli Roth's History of HorrorStream

Guest
Series
2018

Death Race: Anarchy

Executive Producer
Movie
2018

Death Race 2050Stream

Producer
Movie
2017
86%

Greetings From Tromaville

Self
Movie
2017

Kings of Cult

Actor
Show
2015

Roommate Wanted

Producer
Movie
2015

Sharktopus vs. Whalewolf

Producer
Movie
2015

Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's the Fantastic Four

Actor
Movie
2015

Operation Rogue

Producer
Movie
2014

It Came From Connemara!

Actor
Movie
2014

Virtually HeroesStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2013
33%

Extraordinary Tales

Voice
Prince Prospero
Movie
2013

La última película de Jess Franco

Self
Movie
2013

Movie Talk With Peter Bart

Guest
Show
2012

Attack of the 50 Ft. CheerleaderStream

Producer
Movie
2012

Stealing Las VegasStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2012

Death Race 3: Inferno

Executive Producer
Movie
2012

On Story

Guest
Show
2011

Post Mortem

Actor
Show
2011

Camel Spiders

Executive Producer
Movie
2011

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

Dinoshark

Producer
Movie
2010

Dinocroc vs. Supergator

Executive Producer
Movie
2010

Sharktopus

Producer
Movie
2010

Machete Maidens Unleashed!

Actor
Movie
2010

Tromatized, Meet Lloyd Kaufman

Actor
Movie
2009

Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man

Self
Movie
2009

Death RaceStream

Executive Producer
Movie
2008
41%

Cyclops

Producer
Movie
2008

Searchers 2.0

Actor
Producer
Movie
2007

Searchers 2.0

Executive Producer
Movie
2007

Cry of the Winged Serpent

Executive Producer
Movie
2007

Famous Monster: Forrest J. Ackerman

Self
Movie
2007

The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point

Producer
Movie
2006

Saurian

Producer
Movie
2006

Streetfighter 2050

Executive Producer
Movie
2005

Streetfighter 2050

Producer
Movie
2005

Scorpius Gigantus

Executive Producer
Movie
2005

InnerVIEWS With Ernie Manouse

Guest
Show
2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Edgar G. Ulmer - The Man Off-screen

Self
Movie
2004

Dinocroc

Producer
Movie
2004

Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Actor
Hollywood Director
Movie
2003

Firefight

Executive Producer
Movie
2003

Rage and Discipline

Executive Producer
Movie
2003

Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song

Executive Producer
Movie
2002

Black ScorpionStream

Producer
Series
2001

The Arena

Executive Producer
Movie
2001

Avalanche Alley

Executive Producer
Movie
2001

Raptor

Producer
Movie
2001

A Girl, 3 Guys And A Gun

Executive Producer
Movie
2000

Scream 3Stream

Actor
Sunrise Studios Executive
Movie
2000
41%

Moving Target

Producer
Movie
2000

The Suicide Club

Producer
Movie
2000

The Independent

Self
Movie
2000

The Doorway

Producer
Movie
2000

Cybermaster

Executive Producer
Movie
1999

Enemy Action

Producer
Movie
1999

Shepherd

Executive Producer
Movie
1999

The Ghostly Rental

Producer
Movie
1999

The White Pony

Producer
Movie
1999

Dangerous Curves

Producer
Movie
1999

Falling Fire

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

Star Portal

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

A Very Unlucky Leprechaun

Producer
Movie
1998

Running Woman

Producer
Movie
1998

Eruption

Producer
Movie
1998

The Protector

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

Stray Bullet

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

The Capitol Conspiracy

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

Detonator

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

Some Nudity Required

Self
Movie
1998

Shadow Dancer

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

Club Vampire

Executive Producer
Movie
1998

The PracticeStream

Guest Star
Series
1997

Not Like Us

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Alien Avengers II

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

The Haunted Sea

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Operation Cobra

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Mind Breakers

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

My Brother's War

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Overdrive

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Future Fear

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Macon County Jail

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Knocking on Death's Door

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Termination Man

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

The Sea Wolf

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Don't Sleep Alone

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

Under Oath

Executive Producer
Movie
1997

100 Years of Horror

Actor
Show
1996

Attack of the Killer B Movies

Director
Show
1996

Black Scorpion II: Aftershock

Producer
Movie
1996

Inhumanoid

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

House of the Damned

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Last Exit to Earth

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Humanoids From the Deep

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Death Game

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

The Unspeakable

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Ladykiller

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Marquis de Sade

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Hard Way Out

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Carnosaur 3: Primal Species

Producer
Movie
1996

Rumble in the Streets

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Bio-Tech Warrior

Executive Producer
Movie
1996

Because of You

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Unknown Origin

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Reflections on a Crime

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

PiranhaStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Not of This Earth

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Twisted Love

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Dillinger and Capone

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Manhunt

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Haunted Symphony

Producer
Movie
1995

Bucket of Blood

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Baby Face Nelson

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

The Alien Within

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Terminal Virus

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

The Fantastic Four

Executive Producer
Movie
1994
27%

Body Chemistry 3: Point of Seduction

Executive Producer
Movie
1994

Runaway Daughters

Actor
Mr. Randolph
Movie
1994

Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero

Executive Producer
Movie
1994

One Man Army

Producer
Movie
1994

One Night Stand

Executive Producer
Movie
1994

Kill Zone

Producer
Movie
1993

800 Leagues Down the Amazon

Executive Producer
Movie
1993

PhiladelphiaStream

Actor
Mr. Laird
Movie
1993
81%

Live by the Fist

Producer
Movie
1993

Fire on the Amazon

Executive Producer
Movie
1993

Body Waves

Executive Producer
Movie
1992

Body Chemistry II: The Voice of a Stranger

Executive Producer
Movie
1992

Welcome to Oblivion

Executive Producer
Movie
1992

Killer Instinct

Producer
Movie
1992

Final Judgement

Executive Producer
Movie
1992

Dance With Death

Executive Producer
Movie
1992

MunchieStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1992

Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back

Producer
Movie
1992

Dracula Rising

Producer
Movie
1992

The Silence of the LambsStream

Actor
FBI Director Hayden Burke
Movie
1991
95%

Dead Space

Executive Producer
Movie
1991

Future Kick

Executive Producer
Movie
1991

Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight

Executive Producer
Movie
1991

Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight

Producer
Movie
1991

Beyond the Call of Duty

Executive Producer
Movie
1991

The Haunting of Morella

Producer
Movie
1990

A Cry in the Wild

Executive Producer
Movie
1990

Watchers II

Producer
Movie
1990

Frankenstein Unbound

Director
Movie
1990

Frankenstein Unbound

Producer
Movie
1990

Frankenstein Unbound

Writer
Movie
1990

Bloodfist II

Producer
Movie
1990

Overexposed

Producer
Movie
1990

Stripped to Kill II

Executive Producer
Movie
1989

The Terror WithinStream

Producer
Movie
1989

Time Trackers

Producer
Movie
1989

Masque of the Red Death

Executive Producer
Movie
1989

Masque of the Red Death

Producer
Movie
1989

Bloodfist

Producer
Movie
1989

Transylvania Twist

Executive Producer
Movie
1989

Dance of the Damned

Executive Producer
Movie
1989

Lords of the Deep

Executive Producer
Movie
1989

Lords of the Deep

Producer
Movie
1989

Heroes Stand Alone

Executive Producer
Movie
1989

Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II

Executive Producer
Movie
1989

Andy Colby's Incredibly Awesome Adventure

Executive Producer
Movie
1989

Crime Zone

Executive Producer
Movie
1988

Watchers

Executive Producer
Movie
1988

The New Gladiators

Executive Producer
Movie
1988

Daddy's Boys

Executive Producer
Movie
1988

The Lawless Land

Executive Producer
Movie
1988

Two to Tango

Producer
Movie
1988

MunchiesStream

Producer
Movie
1987

Big Bad Mama II

Producer
Movie
1987

Amazons

Executive Producer
Movie
1987

Venganza Materna II

Producer
Movie
1987

Summer Camp Nightmare

Executive Producer
Movie
1987

Deathstalker II

Executive Producer
Movie
1986

Sorority House Massacre

Executive Producer
Movie
1986

Vendetta

Executive Producer
Movie
1986

School Spirit

Executive Producer
Movie
1985

Swing ShiftStream

Actor
Movie
1984
87%

Odd Balls

Executive Producer
Movie
1984

Love Letters

Producer
Movie
1983

Der Stand Der Dinge

Actor
The Lawyer
Movie
1982

Forbidden WorldStream

Producer
Movie
1982
60%

Galaxy of TerrorStream

Producer
Movie
1981
29%

Smokey Bites the Dust

Producer
Movie
1981

Battle Beyond the StarsStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1980
50%

The Georgia Peaches

Executive Producer
Movie
1980

CBS News Sunday MorningStream

Guest
News
1979

Rock 'n' Roll High SchoolStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1979
81%

Saint Jack

Producer
Movie
1979

Deathsport

Producer
Movie
1978

The EvilStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1978

Outside Chance

Executive Producer
Movie
1978

Avalanche

Producer
Movie
1978

PiranhaStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1978
72%

I Never Promised You a Rose GardenStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1977
40%

Grand Theft Auto

Executive Producer
Movie
1977
27%

Thunder and Lightning

Producer
Movie
1977

Moving Violation

Executive Producer
Movie
1976

Jackson County Jail

Executive Producer
Movie
1976

Eat My Dust!

Producer
Movie
1976

Fighting Mad

Producer
Movie
1976

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Street Girls

Producer
Movie
1975

Death Race 2000Stream

Producer
Movie
1975
82%

Cover Girl Models

Executive Producer
Movie
1975

Cockfighter

Producer
Movie
1974

Big Bad MamaStream

Producer
Movie
1974
75%

Candy Stripe Nurses

Executive Producer
Movie
1974

TNT Jackson

Executive Producer
Movie
1974

I Escaped From Devil's Island

Producer
Movie
1973

The Twilight People

Executive Producer
Movie
1972

Boxcar BerthaStream

Producer
Movie
1972
56%

The Big Bird Cage

Executive Producer
Movie
1972

The Hot Box

Executive Producer
Movie
1972

The Big Doll HouseStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1971
100%

Le Baron Rouge

Director
Movie
1971

Von Richthofen and Brown

Director
Movie
1971

The Dunwich Horror

Executive Producer
Movie
1970

Ivanna: El castillo de la puerta de fuego

Executive Producer
Movie
1970

Bloody MamaStream

Director
Movie
1970
14%

Bloody MamaStream

Producer
Movie
1970
14%

The Arousers

Executive Producer
Movie
1970

Gas-s-s-s

Director
Movie
1970

Gas-s-s-s

Producer
Movie
1970

The St. Valentine's Day MassacreStream

Director
Movie
1967
89%

Devil's Angels

Producer
Movie
1967

The TripStream

Director
Movie
1967
39%

The TripStream

Producer
Movie
1967
39%

The ShootingStream

Executive Producer
Movie
1967
100%

The Wild AngelsStream

Director
Movie
1966
63%

The Wild AngelsStream

Producer
Movie
1966
63%

The Tomb of LigeiaStream

Director
Movie
1964
86%

The Secret Invasion

Director
Movie
1964

The Masque of Red DeathStream

Director
Movie
1964
89%

The Masque of Red DeathStream

Producer
Movie
1964
89%

The TerrorStream

Director
Movie
1963
36%

The TerrorStream

Producer
Movie
1963
36%

Young Racers

Director
Movie
1963

The Haunted PalaceStream

Director
Movie
1963
71%

The Haunted PalaceStream

Producer
Movie
1963
71%

The Man With the X-Ray EyesStream

Director
Movie
1963
88%

The Man With the X-Ray EyesStream

Producer
Movie
1963
88%

Dementia 13Stream

Producer
Movie
1963
69%

The RavenStream

Director
Movie
1963
83%

The RavenStream

Producer
Movie
1963
83%

The Broken Land

Producer
Movie
1962

Tales of Terror

Director
Movie
1962

Tower of London

Director
Movie
1962

The Premature Burial

Director
Movie
1962

The Premature Burial

Producer
Movie
1962

The IntruderStream

Director
Movie
1962

The IntruderStream

Producer
Movie
1962

The Pit and the PendulumStream

Director
Movie
1961
88%

The Pit and the PendulumStream

Producer
Movie
1961
88%

Creature From the Haunted Sea

Director
Movie
1961

Creature From the Haunted Sea

Producer
Movie
1961

House of UsherStream

Director
Movie
1960
84%

House of UsherStream

Producer
Movie
1960
84%

The Last Woman on Earth

Director
Movie
1960

Ski Troop Attack

Director
Movie
1960

The Little Shop of HorrorsStream

Director
Movie
1960
93%

The Little Shop of HorrorsStream

Producer
Movie
1960
93%

Atlas

Director
Movie
1960

Atlas

Producer
Movie
1960

Una Cubeta de Sangre

Director
Movie
1959

A Bucket of BloodStream

Director
Movie
1959
71%

A Bucket of BloodStream

Producer
Movie
1959
71%

T-Bird Gang

Producer
Movie
1959

The Wasp WomanStream

Director
Movie
1959
45%

The Wasp WomanStream

Producer
Movie
1959
45%

Machine-Gun KellyStream

Director
Movie
1958

Machine-Gun KellyStream

Producer
Movie
1958

Teen-Age Caveman

Director
Movie
1958

Teen-Age Caveman

Producer
Movie
1958

She Gods of Shark Reef

Director
Movie
1958

Night of the Blood Beast

Executive Producer
Movie
1958

I, Mobster

Director
Movie
1958

Hot Car Girl

Executive Producer
Movie
1958

War of the Satellites

Director
Movie
1958

The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea SerpentStream

Director
Movie
1957

The UndeadStream

Director
Movie
1957
60%

The UndeadStream

Producer
Movie
1957
60%

Rock All NightStream

Director
Movie
1957

Rock All NightStream

Producer
Movie
1957

Thunder Over Hawaii

Director
Movie
1957

Sorority Girl

Director
Movie
1957

Sorority Girl

Producer
Movie
1957

One and Only

Director
Movie
1957

Attack of the Crab MonstersStream

Director
Movie
1957
71%

Attack of the Crab MonstersStream

Producer
Movie
1957
71%

Carnival RockStream

Director
Movie
1957

Teenage Doll

Director
Movie
1957

Teenage Doll

Producer
Movie
1957

Not of This Earth

Director
Movie
1957

Not of This Earth

Producer
Movie
1957

It Conquered the World

Director
Movie
1956

It Conquered the World

Producer
Movie
1956

GunslingerStream

Director
Movie
1956

GunslingerStream

Producer
Movie
1956

The Day the World EndedStream

Director
Movie
1956

The Day the World EndedStream

Producer
Movie
1956

Oklahoma Woman

Director
Movie
1956

Swamp Diamonds

Director
Movie
1956

Swamp WomenStream

Director
Movie
1956

Cruel Swamp

Director
Movie
1956

Five Guns WestStream

Director
Movie
1955

Five Guns WestStream

Producer
Movie
1955

Apache Woman

Director
Movie
1955

Apache Woman

Producer
Movie
1955

Monster From the Ocean Floor

Actor
Tommy
Movie
1954

Monster From the Ocean Floor

Producer
Movie
1954