
Person
Sam Peckinpah
Directing · 1925–1984 · Fresno, California, United States
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. David Samuel "Sam" Peckinpah (February 21, 1925 – December 28, 1984) was an American filmmaker and screenwriter who achieved prominence following the release of the Western epic The Wild Bunch (1969). He was known for the innovative and explicit depiction of action and violence, as well as his revisionist approach to the Western genre. Peckinpah's films generally deal with the conflict between values and ideals, and the corruption of violence in human society. He was given the nickname "Bloody Sam" owing to the violence in his films. His characters are often loners or losers who desire to be honorable, but are forced to compromise in order to survive in a world of nihilism and brutality. Peckinpah's combative personality, marked by years of alcohol and drug abuse, has often overshadowed his professional legacy. Many of his films were noted for behind-the-scenes battles with producers and crew members, damaging his reputation and career during his lifetime. Many of his films, such as Straw Dogs (1971), Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974), remain controversial. Description above from the Wikipedia article Sam Peckinpah, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known for

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self

The Rifleman
Writer
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
Director

Have Gun, Will Travel
Writer

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Director

Gunsmoke
Writer

Route 66
Director
Film '72
Self

Dinah!
Self

The 20th Century Fox Hour
Writer
Filmography
- 2025Passion & Poetry: Getaway in TexasSelf (archive footage)
- 2022Passion & Poetry: Sam's Final CutSelf
- 2011Straw DogsOriginal Film Writer
- 2011Passion & Poetry: Sam Peckinpah's WarIn Memory Of
- 2006Filmmakers in ActionSelf (archive footage)
- 2004Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood RenegadeSelf (archive footage)
- 2003Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved HollywoodSelf
- 1983The Osterman WeekendMaxwell Danforth's Aide (uncredited)
- 1981A Tied BlaséSelf
- 1979The VisitorDr. Sam Collins
- 1978China 9, Liberty 37Wilbur Olsen
- 1978ConvoyNews Crew Director (uncredited)
- 1977Cross of IronDirector
- 1975The Killer EliteDirector
- 1974Dinah!Self
- 1974Bring Me the Head of Alfredo GarciaScreenplay
- 1973Pat Garrett & Billy the KidWill (uncredited)
- 1972The GetawayDirector
- 1972Junior BonnerMan in Palace Bar (uncredited)
- 1971On Location: Dustin HoffmanSelf
- 1971Straw DogsScreenplay
- 1971Film '72Self
- 1970The Ballad of Cable HogueProducer
- 1969The Wild BunchDirector
- 1968Villa RidesScreenplay
- 1966Noon WineDirector
- 1966ABC Stage 67Writer
- 1965The Glory GuysWriter
- 1965Major DundeeDirector
- 1963Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler TheatreDirector
- 1963The LosersStory
- 1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonSelf
- 1962Ride the High CountryDirector
- 1961The Dick Powell ShowDirector
- 1961The Deadly CompanionsDirector
- 1961One-Eyed JacksAdditional Writing
- 1960Route 66Director
- 1960The WesternerWriter
- 1958The RiflemanWriter
- 1958Tom Tit TotDirector
- 1957Have Gun, Will TravelWriter
- 1956Dick Powell's Zane Grey TheatreDirector
- 1956Broken ArrowWriter
- 1956Invasion of the Body SnatchersCharlie the Meter Reader
- 1955The 20th Century Fox HourWriter
- 1955GunsmokeWriter
- 1955WichitaBank Teller (uncredited)
- 1955An Annapolis StoryPilot (uncredited)
- 1955Dial Red OCook in Diner (uncredited)
- 1954Private Hell 36Dialogue
- 1952Portrait of a MadonnaWriter
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