Sam Peckinpah
Biography
David Samuel Sam Peckinpah was an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and actor born in Fresno, California, on February 21, 1925. He lived until December 28, 1984, passing away at the age of 59. He achieved prominence following the release of the 1969 Western epic The Wild Bunch. Peckinpah was recognized for his revisionist approach to the Western genre, as well as his innovative and explicit depictions of action and violence, which earned him the nickname Bloody Sam. His cinematic work generally explored the corruption of violence in human society and the conflict between values and ideals. His characters frequently appeared as loners or losers striving for honor while compromising to survive within a brutal and nihilistic world.
Career overview
David Samuel Peckinpah was an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and actor born in Fresno, California, on February 21, 1925. He passed away on December 28, 1984, at the age of 59. Peckinpah achieved prominence following the release of the 1969 Western epic The Wild Bunch. Throughout his career, he became known for directing, with fifty-one known credits in that capacity.
Peckinpah was widely recognized for his revisionist approach to the Western genre, as well as for his innovative and explicit depiction of action and violence. Because of the violence in his films, he earned the nickname Bloody Sam. Thematic elements in his films typically explored the conflict between values and ideals, alongside the corruption of violence within human society. His cinematic worlds were populated by characters who were frequently loners or losers desiring honor, yet forced to compromise in order to survive amidst brutality and nihilism.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
77 titles- Passion & Poetry: Getaway in Texas (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Passion & Poetry: Sam's Final Cut (2022) as Self
- Straw Dogs (2011) Original Film Writer
- Passion & Poetry: Sam Peckinpah's War (2011) In Memory Of
- Filmmakers in Action (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003) as Self
- The Osterman Weekend (1983) as Maxwell Danforth's Aide (uncredited)
- The Osterman Weekend (1983) Director
- A Tied Blasé (1981) as Self
- The Visitor (1979) as Dr. Sam Collins
- Convoy (1978) as News Crew Director (uncredited)
- Convoy (1978) Director
- China 9, Liberty 37 (1978) as Wilbur Olsen
- Cross of Iron (1977) Director
- The Killer Elite (1975) Director
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) Screenplay
- Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) Director
- Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) Story
- Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) Songs
- Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) as Will (uncredited)
- Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) Director
- The Getaway (1972) Director
- Junior Bonner (1972) as Man in Palace Bar (uncredited)
- Junior Bonner (1972) Director
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Straw Dogs (1971) Screenplay
- Straw Dogs (1971) Director
- On Location: Dustin Hoffman (1971) as Self
- The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970) Producer
- The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970) Director
- The Wild Bunch (1969) Director
- The Wild Bunch (1969) Screenplay
- Villa Rides (1968) Screenplay
- ABC Stage 67 (1966) Writer
- ABC Stage 67 (1966) Director
- Noon Wine (1966) Director
- Noon Wine (1966) Screenplay
- Major Dundee (1965) Director
- Major Dundee (1965) Screenplay
- The Glory Guys (1965) Writer
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) Director
- The Losers (1963) Story
- The Losers (1963) Producer
- The Losers (1963) Director
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- Ride the High Country (1962) Director
- Ride the High Country (1962) Additional Writing
- The Dick Powell Show (1961) Director
- One-Eyed Jacks (1961) Additional Writing
- The Deadly Companions (1961) Director
- Route 66 (1960) Director
- Route 66 (1960) Writer
- The Westerner (1960) Writer
- The Westerner (1960) Director
- The Westerner (1960) Creator
- The Rifleman (1958) Writer
- The Rifleman (1958) Director
- The Rifleman (1958) Creator
- Tom Tit Tot (1958) Director
- Tom Tit Tot (1958) Writer
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) Writer
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) Director
- Broken Arrow (1956) Writer
- Broken Arrow (1956) Director
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) as Charlie the Meter Reader
- Gunsmoke (1955) Writer
- Gunsmoke (1955) Director
- Gunsmoke (1955) Screenplay
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955) Writer
- Wichita (1955) as Bank Teller (uncredited)
- An Annapolis Story (1955) as Pilot (uncredited)
- Dial Red O (1955) as Cook in Diner (uncredited)
- Private Hell 36 (1954) Dialogue
- Portrait of a Madonna (1952) Writer
- Portrait of a Madonna (1952) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Sam Peckinpah best known for?
Sam Peckinpah is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Straw Dogs (2011), Filmmakers in Action (2006), The Osterman Weekend (1983), The Osterman Weekend (1983).
When and where was Sam Peckinpah born?
Sam Peckinpah was born on February 21, 1925 in Fresno, California, United States. They passed away on December 28, 1984.
How many credits does Sam Peckinpah have?
Sam Peckinpah has accumulated over 77 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1952 to 2025.
What is Sam Peckinpah's background in cinema and television?
David Samuel Sam Peckinpah was an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and actor born in Fresno, California, on February 21, 1925. He lived until December 28, 1984, passing away at the age of 59. He achieved prominence following the release of the 1969 Western epic The Wild Bunch. Peckinpah was recognized for his revision...
Sam Peckinpah by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self — aged about 37
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) as Charlie the Meter Reader — aged about 31
- Filmmakers in Action (2006) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 81
- Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) as Will (uncredited) — aged about 48
- Dinah! (1974) as Self — aged about 49
- Convoy (1978) as News Crew Director (uncredited) — aged about 53
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