Moustapha Akkad

Moustapha Akkad (July 1, 1930 - November 11, 2005) was a Syrian-American director and producer. Akkad arrived in the United States with only $200, to pursue studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and then at the University of Southern California, where he earned a master's degree in film. His determination and talent attracted the attention of director Sam Peckinpah, who became his mentor and facilitated his professional debut as a producer at CBS, paving the way for a remarkable and socially engaged career.