Sam Peckinpah was a paradox who both cultivated and disdained his own legend as one of Hollywood's most difficult directors, his often violent films evoked strong responses and varied, almost contradictory, readings. Born to a California legal clan, Peckinpah served in the Marine Corps and earned a master's degree from U.S.C. in 1950. He spent his early career as a theater and television director before becoming an assistant on five films to director Don Siegel, famed for his hard-bitten action films (Peckinpah even played a small part in Siegel's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," 1956).
Enlisted in the Marines; sent to China in 1945 and began studies of Zen
1950
Began career as director-producer in residence at the Huntington Park Civic Theatre for a year and a half
Joined KLAC-TV in Los Angeles as a stagehand, propman and floor-sweeper; stayed two years; lost job after row with studio executive (dates approximate)00
1953
Hired by CBS as an assistant editor on basis of short films he had made on his own time at KLAC
1954
First job in the film industry; hired by Walter Wanger as third assistant casting director (gopher) at Allied Artists; first assignment on Don Siegal's "Riot in Cell Block 11" (date approximate)0
