| Jack H. Harris | |
| Birth Name: | Jack Henry Harris |
| Birth Date: | 28 November 1918 |
| Years Active: | 1950s–1990s |
| Occupation: | Film producer and distributor |
| Children: | 2, including Lynda Resnick |
| Family: | Stewart 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]
Harris was born to a Jewish family[2] in Philadelphia, the son of Sara and Benny Ostravsky. His mother was from Romania and his father from Poland; the latter changed the family surname to Harris.
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]
In 1988, he married Judith "Judy" Parker; they lived in Beverly Hills.[2]
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]
He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Film | Credit | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | The Blob | |||
| 1959 | 4D Man | |||
| 1960 | Dinosaurus! | |||
| 1965 | Master of Horror | Executive producer | ||
| 1966 | The Unkissed Bride | |||
| 1970 | Equinox | |||
| 1972 | Beware! The Blob | Executive producer | ||
| 1973 | Schlock | |||
| 1974 | Dark Star | Executive producer | ||
| 1978 | Eyes of Laura Mars | Executive producer | ||
| 1986 | Prison Ship | |||
| 1988 | The Blob | |||
| 1991 | Blobermouth | Final film as a producer |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Without a Stitch | Presenter | |
| 1973 | Just Be There | 1975 version | |
| 1974 | Dark Star | ||
| 1976 | Ape |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | The Blob | Man Running Out of Theater | Uncredited | |
| 1959 | 4D Man | Man in Nightclub | ||
| 1960 | Dinosaurus! | Tourist on Boat | ||
| 1970 | Equinox | Detective Harrison | ||
| 1972 | Beware! The Blob | Man Running Across Ice | ||
| 1973 | Schlock | Man Reading Horror Comic | ||
| 1978 | Eyes of Laura Mars | Man in Gallery | ||
| 1986 | Prison Ship | Intercom Announcer | Voice role |
| Year | Film | |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | 4D Man | |
| 1960 | Dinosaurus! | |
| 1966 | The Unkissed Bride | |
| 1972 | Beware! The Blob |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Masterworks of Terror | Producer | US version | |
| 1961 | The Twilight Zone | Dinosaur sequence | ||
| 1966 | It's About Time | Special film material | ||
| 1974 | The Horror Hall of Fame | Provider: Filmclips | Documentary |
In 2015 Harris published his first book, FATHER OF THE BLOB: The Making Of A Monster Smash & Other Hollywood Tales (TVGuestpert Publishing).[9]