Jonathan Haze’s daughter Rebecca Haze confirmed his passing over the weekend to The Hollywood Reporter, noting that the 95-year-old film star died of natural causes in his Los Angeles home. He was known for playing flower shop assistant Seymour Krelborn in the original The Little Shop of Horrors alongside Jack Nicholson.
His career spanned up to seven decades, starting with a small part in 1954’s Monster from the Ocean Floor in collaboration with Roger Corman. He did more than two dozen Corman movies in the ‘50s and a handful of others.
Jonathan Haze was more than an actor
Aside from acting, Haze also served as production manager on a few sets like The Fast and the Furious and The Beast with a Million Eyes and wrote screenplays for ‘60s productions Invasion of the Star Creatures and the “Family Skeleton” episode of 77 Sunset Strip.
Haze, who was cousins with legendary drummer and songwriter Buddy Rich, also pursued a career in commercial production while writing and selling screenplays since his first sale of The Monster of Nicholson Mesa to Ararat Productions and produced more movies well into the ‘70s.
Fans react to Jonathan Haze’s passing
The news of Haze’s passing made it to social media, and fans paid tribute to the late star while remembering his works and sharing iconic shots from his most popular sets. “Suddenly, Seymour is no longer standing beside us. Rest in Peace Jonathan Haze, star of the OG Little Shop of Horrors,” someone wrote alongside a GIF of Haze in character.
Another shared a photo of his meetup with Haze in 2019, noting that his autographed Little Shop of Horrors lobby card is one of his most prized possessions. “I was sooo lucky to meet him at SON OF MONSTERPALOOZA…with 3-time Splat guest Jackie Joseph,” they gushed.