Jack Harris, Producer Of Cult Classic 'The Blob,' Dies

BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- Jack Harris, a vaudeville-performer-turned-Hollywood-producer best known for developing and producing the classic 1958 horror film "The Blob," died Tuesday at age 98.

Harris died at his Beverly Hills home of natural causes, surrounded by family, according to a family spokesman.

Born in Philadelphia in 1918, Harris began as a vaudeville performer at just 7 years old, but he moved away from performing, working instead as a theater usher after graduating high school. In short order, he was managing 16 theaters in Philadelphia.

His entertainment career was put on hold by World War II, during which he served in the Army, including two years in Washington, D.C., working in Army Intelligence.

After his service was completed, he returned to Philadelphia and opened his own publicity and film-distribution company. His career as a producer began in 1954, when he teamed with the Boy Scouts of America and traveled the country promoting and marketing the film "Jamboree."

Harris' experiences on that trip led to the 1958 production of "The Blob," which starred a young Steve McQueen in his first leading role. He went on to produce films including "4-D Man," "Dinosaurus," "The Eyes of Laura Mars" and "Equinox."

During his decades in show business, he served as a distributor on more than 1,000 films.

He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014, becoming the famed walk's oldest honoree at age 95.

Harris is survived by his wife, Judith Parker Harris; daughter Lynda Resnick; son Anthony; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lynda Resnick is the co-founder of the Wonderful Co., producer of beverages such as Fiji Water and Pom Wonderful.

Memorial services for Harris will be held Monday at Westwood Memorial Park, 1218 Glendon Ave.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the Wonderful Co.