John Patrick Hayes was a multifaceted filmmaker who made a significant impact in the independent film industry during the 1960s and 1970s. Born in New York, Hayes began his film career by creating short movies in the 1950s, with his 1958 short film "The Kiss" receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film.
Hayes' feature-length debut was the drama "The Grass Eater" in 1961, a film that marked the beginning of his extensive career in the independent film industry. Over the years, he directed a diverse array of films that spanned multiple genres, including World War II dramas, rowdy redneck comedies, sleazy crime thrillers, horror films, low-brow comedies, and science fiction movies.
In addition to directing, Hayes was often involved in the production and editing of his films, and he also wrote the scripts for many of his movies. He even made appearances in bit parts in a few Disney family films, including "The Shaggy D.A." and "Treasure of Matecumbe", as well as in two of his own movies.
John Patrick Hayes' last directing credit was an episode of the horror anthology TV series "Tales from the Darkside" in 1983.
