Jonathan Haze

Jonathan Haze (born Jack Aaron Schachter; April 1, 1929 – November 2, 2024) was an American actor, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his work in Roger Corman films, especially the 1960 black comedy cult classic The Little Shop of Horrors, in which he played florist's assistant Seymour Krelboined.

Jonathan Haze
Haze in The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Born	Jack Aaron Schachter (1929-04-01)April 1, 1929 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	November 2, 2024(2024-11-02) (aged 95) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1949–2010
Known for	Seymour Krelboined in The Little Shop of Horrors
Spouse	Roberta Keith ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1981)​
Children	2
Relatives	Buddy Rich (cousin)

Early years

Haze was born Jack Schachter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 1, 1929,^[1][2] to Betty and Harry Schachter, who was a jeweller. His cousin was jazz drummer Buddy Rich.^[3]

Early career

Haze was working at a gas station in California when he was discovered by Wyott Ordung. Ordung was directing the movie Monster from the Ocean Floor (1954), which was being produced by Corman, and offered a small part to Haze.^[4]

Corman, three years Haze's senior, was impressed and cast Haze in many of his films over the next ten years, including Apache Woman (1955), Day the World Ended (1955), Gunslinger (1956), The Oklahoma Woman (1956), It Conquered the World (1956), Swamp Women (1956), Naked Paradise (1957), Not of This Earth (1957), Rock All Night (1957), The Viking Women and the Sea Serpent (1957), Carnival Rock (1957), The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), and The Terror (1963).

Haze also appeared in non-Corman films, such as Bayou (1957), Stakeout on Dope Street (1958), Ghost of the China Sea (1958), and Forbidden Island (1959).

Later work

In 1959, Haze guest starred in the episode "Terror Town" of NBC's western television series Cimarron City, starring George Montgomery. Dan Duryea who portrayed the mastermind of a criminal enterprise in silver who is the half-brother of Haze's character.

Haze later branched into other aspects of filmmaking. In 1957, Haze sold his first screenplay to Arrarat Productions. Titled The Monster of Nicholson Mesa, the film was a parody of horror films.^[5] He wrote the 1962 science fiction/comedy film Invasion of the Star Creatures. He also worked in production for such films as Premature Burial (1962), The Terror (1963), Medium Cool (1969), Another Nice Mess (1972), and Corman's own The Born Losers (1967).^{[6][unreliable source?]}

Personal life and death

Haze was married to costume designer Roberta Keith from the mid-1960s until 1981, and they had two daughters.^[7]

Haze died at his home in Los Angeles, on November 2, 2024, at the age of 95.^[8]

References

1. Vargo, Mike. "Dystopia, American Greatness, and Rock 'n Roll: 'Little Shop of Horrors' at The Public". Entertainment Central Pittsburgh.
2. Raw, Laurence (2012). Character Actors in Horror and Science Fiction Films, 1930–1960. McFarland. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-786-44474-8.
3. Humphreys, Justin (2006). Names you never remember, with faces you never forget: interviews with the movies' character actors. BearManor Media. ISBN 1-59393-041-0.
4. "Jonathan Haze Brief Biography". Answers.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2011. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
5. "First Screenplay Sold". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. September 7, 1957. p. 5. Retrieved November 18, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Jonathan Haze on Flixter". Retrieved 2010-09-16.
7. "Jonathan Haze, Star of the Original 'Little Shop of Horrors,' Dies at 95". Hollywood Reporter. November 4, 2024.
8. Pedersen, Erik (November 4, 2024). "Jonathan Haze Dies: Seymour In Original 'Little Shop Of Horrors' & Longtime Roger Corman Collaborator Was 95". Deadline.

Further reading

• Humphreys, Justin (2006). "Jonathan Haze". Names You Never Remember, With Faces You Never Forget : Interviews with the Movies' Character Actors (softcover) (First ed.). Albany, GA: BearManor Media. pp. 112–132. ISBN 978-1-62933-094-5.
• Scary Monsters Magazine, June, 2010 no.75. "An Interview With Jonathan Haze", massive 29 page interview with Jonathan Haze by writers/interviewers, Paul Parla and Lawrence Fultz Jr.
• Scary Monsters Magazine, January, 2007 no. 61. "Not Of This Earth Interview Jonathan Haze" by writers/interviewers, Lawrence Fultz Jr. and Dennis Druktenis.
• Psychotronic Magazine, 1998. Vol.1, no.27 "Jonathan Haze" article/interview by Justin Humphreys.
• Filmfax, Vol.1 no.5. "Jonathan Haze" article/interview by Sharon Williams.

External links

• Jonathan Haze at IMDb