Episode 113 - The Fascinating Life & Career Of Film Producer Katherine Haber - Part 1

In the latest episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros sits down with film producer Katherine Haber, one of the talented people behind the sci-fi masterpiece “Blade Runner” and a key collaborator on Sam Peckinpah classics like “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”, “The Getaway”, “Cross of Iron”, and “Convoy”.  

Now in her 80s, Katherine shares her extraordinary life story—growing up in post-WWII London as the daughter of Holocaust survivors and how tragedy steered her from following a career in medicine (like her father) to moviemaking.

She dishes jaw-dropping behind-the-scenes stories from her time with Peckinpah—how she went from secretary to indispensable right-hand on 8 of his films, working alongside icons like Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Dustin Hoffman, and Kris Kristofferson. She even helped McQueen and MacGraw keep their off-screen romance under wraps!

From filming “Straw Dogs” with Susan George to scoring sessions on “Blade Runner”, and from personal sketches by James Mason to handling Hollywood’s biggest stars, Katherine’s stories are rich with drama, insight, and cinematic magic.  

She also opens up about why her longtime working relationship with Sam Peckinpah ended—just before the filming of “Convoy” was completed.

This is a must-listen episode packed with untold Hollywood secrets, personal reflections, and the kind of film lore that fans live for.

KATHERINE HABER

Born in 1944 in London, England, Haber began her career in the late 1960s as an assistant producer to Ronald J. Kahn, working on both theater and film projects such as “Prudence and the Pill” and “Girly.” Her trajectory changed in 1971 when she joined Peckinpah’s team during the production of “Straw Dogs.” Initially hired as a secretary, she quickly rose through the ranks to become dialogue director and a trusted collaborator. 

Haber went on to work closely with Peckinpah on 8 feature films, traveling with the director across the U.S. & Europe. Their professional partnership included seminal titles such as “Junior Bonner,” “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia,” and “The Killer Elite.” Her final collaboration with Peckinpah was on “Convoy” (1978), which featured a repertory cast drawn from many of their previous projects.

After her work with Peckinpah, Haber established a successful career in Hollywood, serving as Production Executive on major studio features including “Blade Runner,” “At Close Range,” & “The Sicilian,” among others. With over 50 years of experience in the film & television industries, her expertise has been instrumental in shaping both independent & studio cinema.

Beyond her film work, Katherine is a Founding Member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Los Angeles, where she served on the Board of Directors for 23 years. She co-founded the organization’s Community Education and Outreach Committee and served on the BAFTA Council for four years, championing initiatives in arts education, youth development, and community engagement.

In recognition of her extraordinary service, Haber has received multiple accolades, including the Martin Luther King ‘Keeper of the Dream’ Award from the City of West Hollywood. In 2011, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts from the University of Bedfordshire for her achievements in film and her dedication to social causes such as homelessness prevention, crime reduction, and arts-based education.

In 2012, she was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to the Los Angeles community.

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

 

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

 

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

 

Titles V