Jonathan Haze was an actor best known for playing Seymour in the 1960 original version of “The Little Shop of Horrors.”
- Died: November 2, 2024 (Who else died on November 2?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 95.
- We invite you to share condolences for Jonathan Haze in our Guest Book.
Jonathan Haze’s legacy
Haze was closely associated with the work of director Roger Corman (1926–2024), known for his B-movies of the 1950s through ‘80s. Haze’s on-screen debut, 1954’s “Monster from the Ocean Floor,” was produced by Corman, and the filmmaker was impressed with Haze’s performance. He gave him a part in his next film, 1955’s “Apache Woman,” and he kept bringing Haze back over the next decade. Haze’s films with Corman included “Five Guns West,” “Teenage Cave Man,” “X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes,” and, of course, “The Little Shop of Horrors.”
In the horror comedy “Little Shop,” Haze played the leading role of Seymour, a sad-sack florist’s assistant who cultivates a man-eating plant and tries to win the affections of his co-worker, Audrey. The B-movie became a cult classic and spawned a stage musical adaptation, which was made into a hit feature film in 1986 starring Rick Moranis as Seymour.
Haze also appeared in films by other directors, including “Bayou,” “Ghost of the China Sea,” and “Forbidden Island.” On TV, he made appearances on such shows as “Dragnet,” “77 Sunset Strip,” and “The Californians.” He wrote the screenplay for the 1962 movie “Invasion of the Star Creatures” and worked as a producer. Later in life, he was the CEO of an advertising firm.
Tributes to Jonathan Haze
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
