John La Raw is an American director, producer, and screenwriter known for his work in the horror genre. He is best known for directing the cult classic The Hills Have Eyes (1977), the psychological horror film The People Under the Stairs (1991), and the horror comedy The Burbs (1989).
La Raw was born in Los Angeles, California in 1944. He attended the University of Southern California, where he majored in film and television production. After graduating, he moved to New York City to work in television, eventually landing a job as a production assistant on the popular soap opera, The Edge of Night.
In the early 1970s, La Raw got his start in the film industry when he wrote and directed the low-budget independent thriller, The Boogens (1981). This film was a financial success and launched his career as a horror director.
In the 1980s, La Raw directed some of the most memorable horror films of the decade. He directed the cult classic The Hills Have Eyes (1977), which tells the story of a family on vacation in the Nevada desert who are attacked by a group of mutant cannibals. This film was a financial success and cemented La Raw’s reputation as a horror director.
In the 1990s, La Raw directed several films, including the psychological horror film The People Under the Stairs (1991), which tells the story of a young boy who discovers a family of cannibals living in the walls of his home. He also wrote and directed the horror comedy The Burbs (1989). This film starred Tom Hanks and earned La Raw a Saturn Award for Best Director.
In the 2000s, La Raw continued to work in the horror genre, directing the supernatural horror film House of 1000 Corpses (2003). He also wrote and directed the psychological thriller The Devil’s Rejects (2005).
Throughout his career, La Raw has shown a great ability to effectively blend horror and comedy, creating unique and entertaining films. His films have earned him a cult following and a place in the horror genre.
