Sources are reporting that cult film director and producer Ted V. Mikels passed away on Sunday, October 16th. Fellow film-maker Timo Rose reported that Mikels passed away in a hospital, though a cause of death has yet to be announced to the public. Ted was 87-years-old and known for a slew of popular horror and exploitation movies in the 60’s and 70’s; a career that followed him well into the current year.
Mikels is most known for working as the writer, director, producer and editor on cult movies including The Astro Zombies (1968), The Corpse Grinders (1971) and Blood Orgy of the She-Devils (1973). His other credits in these categories, as well as in the job of cinematography, can be found in Day of the Nightmare (1965), Orgy of the Dead (1965), Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1971) and The Worm Eaters (1977).
In later years he proudly lent his film-making talents to titles like The Corpse Grinder 2 (2000), Cauldron: Baptism of Blood (2004), Demon Haunt (2009), The Astro Zombies: M3 (2010), The Astro Zombies: M4 (2012), The Corpse Grinders 3 (2012) and Paranormal Extremes: Text Messages from the Dead (2015). He was also working as executive producer and second unit director on The Corpse Grinders remake due in 2017.
Ted’s death is another punch in the gut to horror fans as he is one of the legends who paved the way for the evolution of the genre. His loss will be felt by many and HorrorSociety.com sends our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
R.I.P. Ted V. Mikels
April 29, 1929 – October 16, 2016
