Chicago Native Foster Corder Revives the Legacy of Dolemite

Chicago native Foster Corder is bringing a legendary piece of Black film history back to life with his new movie The Daughters of Dolemite, premiering March 17 in Glendale, CA and scheduled for release in Chicago and other cities later this summer. The film honors the legacy of comedian and actor Rudy Ray Moore, whose bold, independent filmmaking and unforgettable character Dolemite helped shape Black cinema in the 1970s. Corder worked closely with Moore for years and was personally entrusted with the rights to continue the character’s legacy, making the new film both a tribute and a continuation of Moore’s groundbreaking work.

Corder’s journey began in Chicago, where he grew up before leaving the city as a teenager by joining the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Determined to escape the dangerous, Blackstone Rangers, one of the deadliest gangs in Chicago, he reportedly altered the age on his birth certificate so he could enlist at just 15 years old. That early decision took him around the world and eventually into the entertainment industry, where he spent decades supporting independent filmmakers and working behind the scenes on projects connected to Moore’s career. Check out Foster Corder's interview with BG Live on Primetime Pod here.

Now, after more than 30 years in film, Corder is stepping forward with a project that celebrates both his mentor and the independent spirit Moore embodied. The Daughters of Dolemite expands the original story by introducing powerful female characters who carry the bold energy of the Dolemite universe into a new era, while preserving the humor, confidence, and rebellious creativity that made the character a cultural icon.

With its upcoming premiere and summer release plans, the film represents a full-circle moment for Corder—a Chicago native honoring a legendary figure in Black entertainment while bringing the Dolemite legacy to a new generation of audiences.