Screenwriter and director Charles B. Griffith died at his home on 28 September 2007. His cousin, Ron Fellows, who announced the death, said the cause has not been determined. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 23 September 1930, and may be best known for writing The Little Shop of Horrors. He also took several uncredited roles in the film, and provided the voice of the plant, Audrey Jr. He was frequently associated with director Roger Corman.
His genre writing credits include: Not of This Earth (1995), Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II (1989), Little Shop of Horrors (1986, based on the 1960 screenplay), Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype (1980), Death Race 2000 (1975), Please Don’t Eat My Mother (1973), Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961), The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), Beast from Haunted Cave (1959), A Bucket of Blood (1959), The Undead (1957), Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), and Not of This Earth (1957).
The genre films he directed or assistant directed included: Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II, Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype, Up from the Depths (1979), Death Race 2000, and La Sorella di Satana (1966).
He is survived by his wife, Marmory James; his daughter, Jessica Heeps; and four grandchildren.