Doris Wishman remains a significant yet often overlooked figure in American cinema, celebrated for her groundbreaking work in the sexploitation genre. Born in New York City in 1912, Wishman embarked on a cinematic journey that would see her direct and produce over 30 feature films across a four-decade career.
Her unique vision and low-budget approach earned her the moniker “the female Ed Wood,” highlighting her significant impact on independent film. With titles like “Nude on the Moon” (1961) and “Bad Girls Go to Hell” (1965), Doris Wishman carved out a distinctive niche in the 1960s and beyond, embracing themes that were provocative for their time.
Despite operating on a shoestring budget, Wishman’s films gained cult status, influencing future generations of filmmakers, including the likes of Quentin Tarantino and John Waters. Her ability to navigate and thrive in a predominantly male-dominated industry is a testament to her resilience and innovative spirit.
With a net worth estimated at around $5 million at the time of her passing in 2002, Doris Wishman’s legacy continues to inspire those who push the boundaries of traditional cinema. This blog post will delve into her lifestyle, biography, and personal history, exploring the fascinating life of a true pioneer in film.
Who is Doris Wishman?
Doris Wishman was an American filmmaker known for making movies that were different and bold. She was born in New York City in 1912 to parents who had moved to the United States from Ukraine. Doris had a big family with three sisters and two brothers. Her sister Pearl helped her make her first movie by lending her $10,000.
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Doris started making movies in the 1960s and created over 30 films during her career. Even though her movies didn’t cost much to make, many people liked them, and she became famous in the world of independent films. She didn’t have any children from any of his marriage. She passed away in 2002.

Bio\Wiki
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Doris Wishman |
Date of Birth | May 1, 1912 |
Date of Death | August 10, 2002 |
Age at Death | 90 years old |
Place of Birth | New York City, New York, USA |
Ethnicity | Jewish-American |
Spouse | Never married (known to have been single throughout her life) |
Profession | Filmmaker, Director, Screenwriter |
Notable Films | “Bad Girls Go to Hell” (1965), “Double Agent 73” (1974), “Nude on the Moon” (1961) |
Height | 4 feet 11 inches |
Weight | Unknown |
Net Worth (Estimated) | $1 million |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Jewish |
Famous For | Directing low-budget, often controversial exploitation films in the 1960s and 1970s |
Popularity Reason | A pioneer in exploitation cinema, particularly in the genres of softcore and adult-themed films |
Legacy | Recognized as one of the most significant female directors in exploitation cinema, with a cult following |
Real Name and Ethnicity of Doris Wishman
Doris Wishman’s full name was Doris Wishman. She was born in New York City in 1912. Doris came from a Jewish family; her parents had moved to the United States from Ukraine. Being the youngest of five children, she had three sisters and two brothers. One of her sisters, Pearl, helped Doris start her career by lending her money to make her first movie.
Doris’s heritage and family background played an important role in her life. Her family’s support was key to her success in the movie industry. Doris was very proud of her roots and often talked about her parents’ journey to America. This made her more determined to succeed and create her own unique path in filmmaking.
Mother, Father, and Sibling Information
Doris Wishman’s parents moved to America from Ukraine before she was born. Her dad sold hay and grain for a living. Sadly, Doris’s mom passed away when Doris was still a child. Doris had a big family with three sisters and two brothers. One of her sisters, Pearl, was very helpful and even lent Doris $10,000 to make her first movie.
Doris’s family lived in the Bronx, and she went to James Monroe High School there. Her family’s support was very important to her, especially when she started making movies. Doris was the youngest child in her family. Another sister, also named Pearl, lived in Florida and was still alive at 94 years old.

Boyfriend/ Husband of Doris Wishman
Doris Wishman was married two times in her life. Her first husband was Jack Abrahms, an advertising executive. They were married until Jack passed away in 1960. Doris then married Louis Silverman in 1966, but they later got divorced in 1974. Doris did not have any children from either marriage. Her family, especially her sister Pearl, played a big role in her life and career.
Pearl even lent her money to help make her first movie. Although Doris didn’t have any kids, she had a big family with many siblings who supported her. She continued making movies throughout her life, becoming well-known in the world of independent films. Doris’s determination and creativity were key parts of her success.
Age, Height, Weight, Date of birth and Figure
Doris Wishman was born on June 1, 1912, in New York City. She lived to be 90 years old and passed away on August 10, 2002. Doris was not very tall; she was 4 feet 11 inches high. Specific details about her weight and body measurements are not widely known.
Doris had a unique style that made her movies special. She was always very determined and worked hard on her films, even though she didn’t have a lot of money to make them. This made her an important person in the world of independent movies.
Popularity and its reason
Doris Wishman became popular because she made movies that were very different from what people were used to seeing. Her films were bold and had ideas that many other movies didn’t show. Even though she didn’t have a lot of money to make her movies, she was very creative and made them special. People liked her work because it was unique and interesting.
Some famous filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and John Waters said that Doris’s movies inspired them. Even though she worked in a time when most filmmakers were men, Doris did not let that stop her. She kept making movies her own way, and that made her a well-known name in independent films.
Career of Doris Wishman
Doris Wishman started making movies in the 1960s. She created more than 30 films during her career. Her movies were known for being different and sometimes shocking. One of her first movies was “Nude on the Moon,” made in 1961. Doris made films with very little money, but people still liked them because they were unique.
She worked mostly in the sexploitation genre, which means her movies often had adult themes. Doris was very creative and found ways to make her movies interesting even without big budgets. She kept making movies for many years, from the 1960s to the 1980s. Doris was one of the few women in her field, and she inspired many other filmmakers with her bold and creative style.

Net Worth of Doris Wishman
Doris Wishman had a lot of success in her movie-making career. By the time she passed away in 2002, she had made over 30 movies, which helped her earn a lot of money. Even though her movies were made with small budgets, many people liked them, and they became quite popular. Her net worth is $5 million
This means she had a good amount of money saved up from her years of hard work in the film industry.
Nationality and Religion of Doris Wishman
Doris Wishman was an American filmmaker. She was born in New York City, which is in the United States. Her parents came to America from Ukraine, making her family background Ukrainian-Jewish. Doris grew up in a Jewish household. Being Jewish was an important part of her life and who she was. Doris’s family practiced Jewish traditions and celebrated Jewish holidays.
They were proud of their Jewish heritage, and this was something that Doris carried with her throughout her life. Even though she lived in America, she always remembered where her family came from and the traditions they brought with them. This gave her a sense of belonging and identity that was important to her both personally and in her career.
Next Steps and Goals of Doris Wishman
Doris Wishman was always thinking about what she wanted to do next. She loved making movies and wanted to keep doing that. She had big ideas for new films and was always looking for interesting stories to tell. Even though she faced challenges, Doris never gave up.
She wanted to show people that you can do great things if you work hard and believe in yourself. Her goal was to inspire others, especially women, to follow their dreams and make their own movies. Doris also wanted to help new filmmakers learn and grow.
Hobbies of Doris Wishman
- Doris loved watching movies, which helped her get ideas for her own films.
- She enjoyed reading books about different stories and people.
- Doris liked spending time with her family and friends.
- She had fun going to the theater to watch plays.
- Doris enjoyed traveling to different places to see new things.
- She liked to write stories and scripts for her movies.
- Doris loved art and often visited museums to see different artworks.
Interesting Facts About Doris Wishman
- Doris Wishman was known as “the female Ed Wood” because of her unique and creative films.
- She made over 30 movies in her career.
- One of her first movies was called “Nude on the Moon.”
- Her sister, Pearl, helped her start her filmmaking career.
- Doris was only 4 feet 11 inches tall.
- She loved to write stories and scripts for her movies.
- Doris made movies with very little money but still became famous.
- Filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and John Waters were inspired by her work.
FAQs
Who was Doris Wishman?
Doris Wishman was an American filmmaker known for making unique and bold movies.
When was Doris Wishman born?
Doris was born on June 1, 1912.
How many movies did she make?
Doris made over 30 movies.
What genre did she work in?
She worked mostly in the sexploitation genre.
Did Doris have any children?
No, Doris did not have any children.
How tall was Doris Wishman?
She was 4 feet 11 inches tall.
What was Doris’s net worth?
Her net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Conclusion
Doris Wishman was a remarkable filmmaker who made more than 30 unique movies, even with limited money. She was born in New York City in 1912 and came from a Jewish family. Her sister Pearl helped her start her career.
She became famous for her bold films that inspired many others, including famous filmmakers. Doris’s creativity and determination made her an important figure in independent cinema. Her story shows that with hard work and belief in yourself, you can achieve great things. Doris Wishman’s legacy continues to inspire new generations.