Episode 114 - The Fascinating Life & Career Of Film Producer Katherine Haber - Part 2

In Part 2 of Tony Miros’ riveting conversation with film producer Katherine Haber on Hollywood Obsessed, the stories get even wilder!

Katherine pulls back the curtain on the chaos & brilliance of working with Sam Peckinpah in Mexico on “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, then shifts gears to her intense experiences with director Michael Cimino on “The Deer Hunter” & “The Sicilian”—calling the latter a “total misery.”

She also dives deep into the making of the sci-fi masterpiece “Blade Runner”, from Ridley Scott’s original desire to cast Dustin Hoffman, to the on-set tension with Harrison Ford, to helping Sean Young through tough scenes, and how Rutger Hauer landed the iconic role of replicant ‘Roy Batty’. She reveals how Ridley’s 24/7 filming led to him being fired before the movie wrapped—and how she stayed on to help complete the final cut, including working on the film’s now-infamous narration.

She shares fun behind-the-scenes tidbits, her post-“Blade Runner” work with Ridley on commercials, and gives her uncensored take on the sequel, “Blade Runner 2049”.  

Plus, she reflects on the honor of being named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) by Queen Elizabeth II, and teases film projects she still hopes to bring to life—in her 80s!

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 eight feature films, traveling with the director across the U.S. and 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,” and “The Sicilian,” among others. With over 50 years of experience in the film and television industries, her expertise has been instrumental in shaping both independent and studio cinema.

Beyond her film work, Katherine Haber has made significant contributions to the creative and philanthropic communities. She 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.

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