David Ernest Peckinpah (September 5, 1951 – April 23, 2006) was a television writer, producer and director.
He was the writer and producer of several series including the cable TV shows DEA, Silk Stalkings, Sliders and Beauty and the Beast.
[1] Peckinpah is believed to be responsible for the departure of cast member John Rhys-Davies.
Rhys-Davies later vowed that he would not return to Sliders as long as Peckinpah had a hand in the show.
Following the death of his first son, David relapsed into drug and alcohol abuse, after nearly 20 years of sobriety.
On April 23, 2006 David died of heart failure caused by drug overdose in Vancouver B.C.