Jack H. Harris
Born
Jack Henry Harris

(1918-11-28)November 28, 1918
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 14, 2017(2017-03-14) (aged 98)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film producer and distributor
Years active1950s–1990s
Children2, including Lynda Resnick
FamilyStewart Resnick (son-in-law)

Jack Henry Harris (November 28, 1918 – March 14, 2017) was an American film producer and distributor. He produced The Blob (1958), 4D Man (1959), and Equinox (1970).[1]

Biography

Harris was born to a Jewish family[2] in Philadelphia, the son of Sara and Benny Ostravsky.[2] His mother was from Romania and his father from Poland;[2] the latter changed the family surname to Harris.[2]

Harris began his career in show business as a vaudeville performer in Gus Edwards' Kiddie Revue when he was six years old. He would later work in a theatre as an usher, in a publicity department, and in the distribution field, finally later taking up a career as a producer.[3] Harris is credited with coming up with the original motivation for his 1958 film, The Blob.[4] Harris also worked on the TV series It's About Time and The Twilight Zone.

Harris was among the 22 people selected to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014, in the motion pictures category.[5] 95 at the time of his unveiling ceremony held on February 4, 2014, he was the oldest person to be honored with a star on the Walk of Fame.[6][7]

Personal life

In 1988, he married Judith "Judy" Parker; they lived in Beverly Hills.[2]

Death

Harris died March 14, 2017, at his home in Beverly Hills, surrounded by his family, aged 98; he is survived by his two children, Lynda Resnick and Anthony Harris.[8]

Filmography

He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

Year Film Credit Notes
1958The Blob
19594D Man
1960Dinosaurus!
1965Master of HorrorExecutive producer
1966The Unkissed Bride
1970Equinox
1972Beware! The BlobExecutive producer
1973Schlock
1974Dark StarExecutive producer
1978Eyes of Laura MarsExecutive producer
1986Prison Ship
1988The Blob
1991BlobermouthFinal film as a producer
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Role Notes
1968Without a StitchPresenter
1973Just Be There1975 version
1974Dark Star
1976Ape
As an actor
Year Film Role Notes
1958The BlobMan Running Out of TheaterUncredited
19594D ManMan in Nightclub
1960Dinosaurus!Tourist on Boat
1970EquinoxDetective Harrison
1972Beware! The BlobMan Running Across Ice
1973SchlockMan Reading Horror Comic
1978Eyes of Laura MarsMan in Gallery
1986Prison ShipIntercom AnnouncerVoice role
As writer
Year Film
19594D Man
1960Dinosaurus!
1966The Unkissed Bride
1972Beware! The Blob
As director
Year Film
1966The Unkissed Bride
Thanks
Year Film Role
2009Alien TrespassAcknowledgment: The Blob footage courtesy of

Television

Year Title
1960Masterworks of Terror
Miscellaneous crew
Year Title Role Notes
1959Masterworks of TerrorProducerUS version
1961The Twilight ZoneDinosaur sequence
1966It's About TimeSpecial film material
1974The Horror Hall of FameProvider: FilmclipsDocumentary

Book

In 2015 Harris published his first book, FATHER OF THE BLOB: The Making Of A Monster Smash & Other Hollywood Tales (TVGuestpert Publishing).[9]

References

  1. ↑ Television & Cable Factbook - Google Books. 1987. ISBN 9780911486292. Retrieved December 31, 2013 – via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "'The Blob': How fame took shape from an amorphous sci-fi classic". Jewishjournal.com. June 1, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  3. ↑ Weaver, Tom (2000). Return of the B Science Fiction and Horror Heroes: The Mutant Melding of Two ... - Tom Weaver - Google Books. ISBN 9780786407552. Retrieved December 31, 2013 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Murdico, Suzanne (15 January 2005). Meet the Blob - Suzanne J. Murdico - Google Books. ISBN 9781404202719. Retrieved December 31, 2013 – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ "Matthew McConaughey, Tupac and Katy Perry Among 2014 Walk of Fame Honorees". The Hollywood Reporter. June 21, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Jack Harris, Producer of Horror Classic 'The Blob,' Dies at 98". March 14, 2017.
  7. ↑ "'Blob' producer Jack Harris gets Hollywood star". February 28, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-02-28.
  8. ↑ "Jack Harris, who produced horror film 'The Blob,' dies at 98". Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  9. ↑ Harris, Jack H. (2015). Father of the Blob: The Making of a Monster Smash and Other Hollywood Tales, TVGuestpert Publishing. ISBN 9780988585515.
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