Corman received an industrial engineering degree from Stanford University. He began his career in 1953 as a producer and screenwriter, and began directing in 1955. Until his retirement in 1971 he would produce up to 7 movies a year, his fastest film was perhaps The Little Shop of Horrors which was shot in 2 days and 1 night.
Directors that have worked with him include Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and John Sayles. One actor who started his career working for Corman is Jack Nicholson.