Tom DeSimone, Director of ‘Chatterbox,’ ‘Reform School Girls,’ Dies at 87
Tom DeSimone, the filmmaker behind the cult film “Reform School Girls” and the comedy “Chatterbox”, has died aged 87. His career ranged from directing adult films to B-movies and television, making him a distinctive figure in low-budget cinema.
DeSimone died on 17 October in Cathedral City, California, after a terminal cancer diagnosis; his brother said he chose medically assisted death. Born in Massachusetts, he earned a master’s degree in film at UCLA and began directing in 1968. His later credits included “Hell Night”, “Savage Streets”, “Freddy’s Nightmares” and the soap opera “Acapulco Bay”.
In short
- Cult filmmaker Tom DeSimone has died aged 87.
- He directed “Chatterbox” and “Reform School Girls”.
- His work spanned adult films, B-movies and television.
Explained simply
Tom DeSimone was an American film and television director whose work ranged from adult films to low-budget features and television. He studied film at the University of California, Los Angeles, before beginning his directing career in 1968.
He became known for cult films such as Reform School Girls and Hell Night, as well as the comedy Chatterbox. His career also included television work, including the series Freddy’s Nightmares and the soap opera Acapulco Bay.