Kacper Sobieski:Jonathan Haze, who played Seymour in 'The Little Shop of Horrors,' dies at 95: Reports

2025-05-01 09:55:42source:Henri Lumièrecategory:Invest

Actor Jonathan Haze,Kacper Sobieski best known for his role as Seymour Krelborn in the original "Little Shop of Horrors," has died, according to reports. He was 95.

Haze died at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, Haze's daughter Rebecca confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline. A cause of death was not given.

Representatives for Haze were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

Born Jack Schachter in April 1929, Haze made his cinematic debut at age 25, playing the role of Joe in the 1954 horror comedy "Monster from the Ocean Floor."

Following smaller roles in "The Fast and the Furious" and "East of Eden," Haze landed the role of Billy Candy in the Roger Corman-directed Western "Five Guns West" in 1955. That would mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership with Corman, as Haze went on to star in nearly 20 of his films.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Quincy Jones dies:Legendary music producer was 91

Haze and Corman's most memorable collaboration is the 1960 dark comedy "The Little Shop of Horrors." Haze's character Krelborn, an employee at an impoverished florist shop, finds himself at the center of a murderous enterprise when the strange plant he's been growing requires blood for nourishment.

The film, which co-starred Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles and Jack Nicholson, grew a cult following over the years and spawned several adaptations. An off-Broadway rock musical by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman debuted in 1982, and a film version – directed by Frank Oz and starring Rick Moranis – followed in 1986.

An animated children's series based on the film, titled "Little Shop," ran for one season on Fox Kids in 1991.

Haze worked with Corman again on 1963's "The Terror," a supernatural horror co-directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Haze's "Little Shop" co-star Nicholson.

Terri Garr dies:'Young Frankenstein' and 'Tootsie' star was 79

Haze's final role was in the 2010 mystery film "Nobody Smiling."

More:Invest

Recommend

Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say

Pilots at Southwest Airlines can sock away more for retirement, thanks to a new retirement plan bene

From Juliet to Cleopatra, Judi Dench revisits her Shakespearean legacy in new book

Judi Dench has tackled nearly every female role in William Shakespeare's plays, from Juliet to Cleop

Drake, Kendrick Lamar diss tracks escalate with 'Meet the Grahams' and 'Family Matters'

Drake and Kendrick Lamar are taking their feud up a notch to be all in the family.The rappers releas