Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 1, 2026

Donald G. Jackson

Donald G. Jackson was an American filmmaker.

Last revised
Aug 1, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Donald Jackson
Born(1943-04-24)April 24, 1943
DiedOctober 20, 2003(2003-10-20) (aged 60)
OccupationsFilm director, screenwriter, film producer, actor
SpouseJanet

Donald G. Jackson (April 24, 1943 – October 20, 2003) was an American filmmaker.12

Biography

Born in Tremont, Mississippi, Jackson grew up in Adrian, Michigan. As an adult he struggled to become a filmmaker for many years while working at an auto factory. Finally, in the mid-1970s he made his first feature film, a horror film parody, The Demon Lover. This film was soon followed by the wrestling film, I Like to Hurt People.3 These films financed his move to Hollywood, California, where he remained until his death.4 Jackson is perhaps most well known for creating and directing the cult film, Hell Comes to Frogtown.5

Throughout his career Jackson worked with several filmmakers including Roger Corman and James Cameron6 but it was not until he began a long collaboration with American filmmaker Scott Shaw that the team created a method they called zen filmmaking. Zen filmmaking is a distinct style of filmmaking where no scripts are used in the creation of a film.78 Actors who frequently starred in Jackson's films included Joe Estevez and Robert Z'Dar.

Death

Jackson died of leukemia on October 20, 2003.9

Filmography

Documentary films about Donald G. Jackson

  • Demon Lover Diary (1980)
  • Interview: The Documentary (2005)
References

References

External links