Frances Doel, the influential writer, producer, and longtime creative executive known for her collaborations with independent film icon Roger Corman, passed away on May 26 after a long illness. She was 83.
Born on April 15, 1942, in London, Doel was the daughter of Iris Doel and Sgt. Francis Doel of the Royal Armoured Corps, who was killed in action during World War II. A scholarship student at Oxford University’s St. Hilda’s College, Doel responded to a job posting by Corman, launching a career that would help shape several generations of independent filmmaking.
A Key Creative Force at New World Pictures
After relocating to Los Angeles, Doel lived at the Women’s Y in Hollywood and began working at New World Pictures, Corman’s prolific production company. During the company’s golden years in the 1960s through early 1980s, she became an essential figure — writing and developing scripts, supervising productions, and often contributing uncredited writing to numerous films.
Officially, Doel was credited on two of New World’s most recognized cult classics: Big Bad Mama (1974) and Crazy Mama (1975). She collaborated with future film legends including Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Jonathan Demme, and Francis Ford Coppola, as well as stars like Jack Nicholson, Angie Dickinson, and William Shatner.
Industry Legacy Across Studios
After her work with Corman, Doel served as a creative executive at Orion Pictures, where she helped shepherd projects such as The Terminator (1984), Robocop (1987), The Falcon and the Snowman (1985), and Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). She later joined Disney during the Katzenberg era, contributing to classics like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) and Dead Poets Society (1989).
In 1997, she co-produced the now cult favorite Starship Troopers with Jon Davison for TriStar Pictures. In her final professional chapter, Doel returned to work alongside Roger Corman at Concorde-New Horizons, serving as VP of Production and contributing to a wide range of television and film content.
See More ...
A Lasting Impact on Cinema
In the 2024 special “The Terminator at 40!” on YouTube, both James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd credited Doel for helping get The Terminator made at Orion when the film struggled to find support elsewhere.
Doel was formerly married to actor and director Clint Kimbrough. She is survived by her siblings Rosemary Tannock, Diana Clayden, and Roger Clayden; her longtime companion Harrison Reiner; and numerous friends and colleagues who remember her as a passionate creator and loyal friend.
In her memory, donations can be made to Best Friends Animal Society, or supporters may consider fostering or adopting a rescue animal.
