November 17, 2005 Moustapha Akkad and his daugther, Rima Akkad Monla, were innocent victims of terrorism in Amman, Jordan, when three hotels were bombed in a senseless act of violence in November 2005. Trancas is absolutely devastated with our loss, and we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the thousands of emails and phone calls from family, friends and fans from around the world. We cannot thank you enough for your support. Click here to read Moustapha Akkad's biography. Leave a message on our Weblog. The video will take a few minutes to load. Video courtesy of Brian Martin Ellie Cornell... "I am shocked and saddened by Moustapha's passing. He was a peaceful presence on the set, a genuine father figure to all of us, and a true gentleman. I will always picture him with his pipe, grinning, surrrounded by his loving family." Larry Brand... "Years before writing HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION I'd met with Moustapha to pitch an idea for one of the earlier sequels -- perhaps five or six. Before I could open my mouth, though, Moustapha pinned me with his gaze and asked me what I thought made Michael Myers such successful a movie character. I hadn't expected a quiz. I blubbered some pretentious nonsense about how Michael appealed to our primal fears, represented the archetypal predator, that kind of thing. I didn't get the job. But what struck me then and has stayed with me was how seriously Moustapha took the franchise, how unwilling he was to sell it short. Here was a producer who actually cared. Whatever Michael Myers might or might not mean to others, it meant something to him, and he was determined to be true to that something." Halloween Fan... "I wished to express all my sadness and all my support for the family about what happened to Moustapha and Rima Akkad. My knowledge of the English language is so little, so insufficiant to express what I feel now. I am more than saddened to learn their death and I don't know how to express it well in English but I still wanted to let you know that here in France, people are devastated too. My respects to THE Man and his daughter." - Yannick Lance Warlock... "My deepest condolences go out to Mr. Akkad's family and close friends. I had the pleasure of meeting Moustapha back in 2003 at the 25th anniversary convention of the Halloween movies. It was Halloween day and I was on the bus tour of all the sites that were used in the movie. A fan asked me what I had been up to since Halloween II. I was telling him about my involvement in the music business and my fascination for film music. I told him that all I wanted to do is give Mr. Akkad a CD that I had been working on just for this trip. It was my new venture with the Halloween theme, and then of course to score the next installment in the series. All of a sudden a female voice said from behind me, "Well, then you should talk to me about getting that CD to him." Of course that blew my mind, because I had no idea who she was at that time. It was his assistant, Christi. We then exchanged business cards, talked about a few things, and went on with the day. That night at the convention, Christi introduced me to Mr. Akkad. It was a pleasure to meet a true legend in this industry. I then met his son Malek who has been a big part in the Trancas family. If it wasn't for Mr. Akkad taking on the first Halloween movie, I would have never had my opportunity to be involved in such a great and long lived film series. It was an honor for me to then write music for the documentary about the series. Now I can say that a dream has come true, to write and perform music for the Halloween movies. With all that goes on in this world today, all I can say is live your dreams, chase your dreams, and live life to the fullest because you never know what's around the next corner. GOD BLESS!" Charles Cyphers... "I was of course shocked to hear of the tragic passing of Moustapha. The whole idea of a happy event like the wedding and than the bombing - what sort of hatred brings this on? I send my condolances to his family and hope these terrorist killings make people more aware of their (the terrorist's) danger." John Carpenter... "Halloween put me on the map, and I'm very sad to hear of (Moustapha's) death." Halloween Fan... "Just wanted to extend my condolences on the passing of Mr. Akkad and his daughter. Probably like many other messages you receive today, his name on the opening credits of the Halloween films always ensured I would be taken for a thrilling ride at the movies. He was perhaps the only filmmaker I would see in interviews who really did seem like a 'fan' of the movies he made, what a great sense of humor and a delightful man. It's difficult to reconcile the idea of a man who won so many admirers by perfecting the art of screen terror and violence, being taken in such a horrific, violent act in the real world. Rest assured that he will always be remembered for his accomplishments, and the success he brought to so many in the film industry, rather than the terribly sad way in which he was taken from us far too soon. The man and his family will be in my thoughts, and his work will live forever." - Steve Marianne Hagan... "MY WORDS FOR MOUSTAPHA" This is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to write, as I have been rendered speechless since I got the news. The news being the senseless massacre in Amman, that took so many innocent lives, among them dear Moustapha and his beautiful daughter. Moustapha Akkad is the reason I have an acting career today. By giving me the opportunity to play Kara Strode in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, the sixth installment of the series, he in essence gave me an acting career. On the set, he was a father figure to me. He treated me like a daughter or a neice. He was protective, loving and warm. I specifically remember the first day of shooting. I was very nervous. He suggested to the hair and makeup person that my hair be pulled back. I must have looked at him with a look that said "Did I do something wrong?" because he immediately smiled a paternal smile and reassured "So we can see your beautiful face." I was immediately put at ease, and I immmediately loved this man. It has become a corny cliche to say someone "has a twinkle in his eyes". But with Moustapha it was true! And is still true in my mind's eye of him. When I imagine his handsome face I can see this lovely light behind his eyes. He literally smiled with his eyes. It makes me sick to think of that serene light being put out by brutal cowards. So I can't think of it that way. I must think that the light behind his eyes is still shining, just in a better place. Now he is with God and can work for peace with even more power. I must believe there is a grand reason for this travesty. And I must believe that Moustapha is smiling where he is, because he is in a position to help more. To better guide and comfort his family, his friends, and the people of the Mideast in their struggle for PEACE. PEACE be with you, Moustapha. I will miss you and always remember you with the deepest gratitude... and a smile. All my love, One of the many you've helped, Marianne Louise Hagan Philip Nutman... "In a world where we are bombarded with a barrage of sound and vision, sound bites and infomercials on a daily basis, the news often becomes abstract, almost otherworldly. Sadly, it takes a human face to drive home the shocking truth about the senselessness of terrorist acts. I didn't really know Moustapha Akkad, having primarily worked with Mickey and Irwin Yablans on the trilogy of HALLOWEEN comic books I wrote between 2001-2002, but was finally introduced to him at the 2003 convention in Pasadena by my friend and sometime writing partner, Daniel Farrands. Finally, the circle was complete: I'd come a long way in both age and geography to say hello and pay my respects to a man whose name first entered my consciousness when I saw his epic, THE MESSAGE, as a teenager in England, a couple of years before that fateful day I saw his credit on a little American horror film called HALLOWEEN. And now, through a violent act of cowardice, we'll never see the legend "Moustapha Akkad Presents" at the start of a movie again. My thoughts are with the Akkad family." Pamela Susan Shoop... "A number of years ago, I was proud to be asked to co-present Moustapha Akkad with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the "Halloween" films. I remember how gracious he was that night, and what a pleasure it was backstage for me to chat with him, once again. He introduced me to a few of his family members, and I was struck by his sense of humor, which I hadn't really gotten to know during shooting. As I recall, he wasn't on the set much of "Halloween II." But his presence was always felt - and will continue to be, down through the years as his "Halloween" legacy reaches out to new generations. I can only hope that he and Debra Hill have now reached a sense of peace - and that somehow, their talents can continue to inspire creativity in those who come after them. It seemed to me that Moustapha Akkad was a happy man...maybe not in every way, but surely in the knowledge that he was so loved by his fans. And I, personally, shall always be grateful to have had an opportunity to work for him. Although I didn't realize it at the time that we were shooting many years ago, he gave me a legacy of my own in the character of "Nurse Karen." Along with his family; friends; and fans, I share the loss of this talented man of unique vision and his exquisite daughter." Stefan Hutchinson... "I never had the opportunity to get to know Moustapha well. The few times we met, I was struck by his wit and dry humour - something that never came through in the many interviews I'd seen before. Moustapha was a man of ambition - shown by the epic films he directed himself, 'The Message' and 'Lion Of The Desert', and a man who has inspired many, many others. My thoughts are with Malek and his family, who have suffered not one, but two terrible losses. I hope that at the very least, this tragedy makes people more aware of the horrible things that are happening in the world right now." Anthony Masi... "Moustapha is a hero to me for so many reasons. I will forever be in awe of his accomplishments, and always thankful to him for allowing me to be part of his 'Halloween Family'." Halloween Fan... "Dear Mr. Akkad... I am truly blessed to have met you at H25. Your ability to make us afraid, strangely, made us love. You who never filled the screen always filled our minds. The name we could not say, we always knew. You who rarely showed your face will always be immortalized in a face of a man who bore no emotions. You who were not into horror, created the modern horror genre. So odd, so magical. A gift to all who love to surrender to the terrors of a darkened theater. You, a Syrian-borne filmaker, have held the very pulsebeat of American youth. You were one of us and we mourn your loss. We could not have been more different. Through Michael we could not be more the same. You are and always shall be our dark kindred and when the lights darken and the strains of eerie piano music once again fills the screen, in our minds and in our hearts it is your name that we will always see first. May Dr. Loomis lead you into the Pearly Gates after showing you the many hearts that are touched by your magic and now heavy with sadness at your passing. We will never forget you. Every Halloween shall be your day, our friend. Every year we will toast your gift to us. You will never be forgotten." - Steven P.J. Soles... "I extend my deepest sympathies to the families. This tragedy touches everyone, and not because of Moustapha's achievements in the film industry, but because we can all personally relate to the sudden loss of someone in our family. Terrorists get zero benefit from their killings - that's what is so horrible - it is all so useless - what do they gain when they kill people who they don't even know or what's in their hearts? For all they know, they are killing their friends or own family - that's how random their acts of violence are." Tony Timpone... "Mr. Akkad was a gentle and kind man. He was always appreciative of the publicity and support we gave his HALLOWEEN films in the pages of FANGORIA magazine. He provided us unprecedented access to the sets of his movies and always strove to please the fans. It was a great pleasure to honor him at a Los Angeles FANGORIA Weekend of Horrors convention with a Lifetime Achievement Award a few years back. Moustapha was a classy and generous person at the show and very respectful of the fans who gathered to meet him. He will be missed." Andrew Breitbart... On Thursday at 2:30pm PST while not particularly paying attention to the AM talk radio feed that is my background noise, the ABC News reader droned on about the hotel terror bombings that hit Amman, Jordan the day before. I am inured to escalating death count suicide bomb followup news reports. The man -- whose voice is a staple in my life and whose name I now can't remember -- revealed that 59 had died and over 100 were injured. My brain unconsciously processed the information: Statistics from half a world away... Thank God I don't know anyone over there... Are there any Diet Cokes in the refrigerator? But in my daily AM-induced trance I was shocked into sharp focus when the newsman reported that the lone American death, at the time, was "34-year old Rima Akkad". In that instant I knew it was my friend, the beautiful and jovial younger sister of my high school classmate Malek, who I think saved me (at least from something) by getting me over the Mexican border in a wheelbarrow after a drunken night in Tijuana in 1985. I listened to the end of the report intently yet numb: Rima's father, Mustapha, the film producer behind and the "The Lion of the Desert" and "Halloween" movies, was critically wounded. [He later died.] I didn't know Rima lived in the Middle East until a few months ago when I ran into Malek at a party at a Wilshire Corridor high-rise apartment building and over margaritas I asked how she was. He told me that she is happily married with two kids and living in Lebanon. He said she and her husband met while she was attending graduate school in Middle Eastern Studies at the American University in Beirut. At that moment it struck me that in all the years I knew Malek, Rima and their older brother Tarik, I never really thought about their family's obvious ethnic or religious background. I just remember Malek loved Led Zeppelin. Tarik worked the counter at Maria's Italian Kitchen while I delivered pizza. And Rima was cooler than most of the girls her age and had a most brilliant smile. She even played polo! Who plays polo? At the time, and in retrospect, the Akkads were to Islam what many more of us at Brentwood School were to Judaism, highly secular, typical Americans. And, to say the least, we all got along. I'm not sure where Rima Akkad Monla stood on the War on Terror, Iraq, the right of the state of Israel to exist, on suicide bombings -- the unimaginable way in which she and her father died. Even if we disagreed, I bet we'd have stayed friends. The only sign that good can come from this is that the Jordanian people seem to have taken offense to this senseless attack and are protesting in the streets. It's a start. Perhaps in Rima's death the message being sent throughout the entire Islamic world is that instead of cultivating the best of its own Al Qaeda kills them. Unfortunately, I'm not optimistic. Rima, you will be missed." Nicholas Grabowsky... "We have all lost both an icon, institution, father figure to many, a great man who has affected so many lives. My heart goes out to the family he leaves behind, and he will be missed very much. Thank you, Moustapha, for being so personable and kind to me in the few times we spoke, and for the legacy of your life and the impact and influence you've had on so many people who will forever hold you in their hearts. This is a sad loss for us all." The video will take a few minutes to load. Bradford English... "Only Malek and his father knew me. I worked for them several years ago. Our time together was brief; only a month or so, but I can tell you that Moustapha was a man who impressed me very much. I remember him very clearly as being quite warm and generous with me - a man I felt to be of deep character, I remember thinking almost immediately. But, alas, I have,inprudently, not kept in touch much, except for a couple of calls to Malek once or twice over the ensuing years years. However, I must tell you, franky, that I have thought often of Moustapha - especially over the past few years, wondering if I would be able to speak with him to ascertain his perspective concerning the great conflict now facing our world. And I say this now, not only memory of a man I admired for the qualities of character I preceived in him, but as well for the hope, for our world, which those quaalities sometimes brought to my soul. I, of course, knew Moustapha to be of the Faith of Islam. And it is that knowledge, coupled with my presence having touched his, that brought hope to me. To me Moustaphathis Akkad, despite our brief encounter, was a very good man. Of course, I can not say I will miss him in a physical sense, for I had been with him for only a short time in my life. Still, I shall truly miss knowing that a man such as he walks the Earth. However, his having walked it brings to me a great gift. The gift of hope. Malek, I know you love your father - and I also recall how he loves you. Thus, you are blessed, so carry on in his memory as best you can. For, as Islamic Holy teacings tell us (and as your web page reminds us): "Verily, with God do we belong and, verily, unto Him shall we return," so, then, shall you one day beyond time again, sit with your beloved father - and your dear sister, but this time shall you do so in God's eternal kingdom. May God bless your father and may he bless all your family." Halloween Fan... "I was incredibly saddened to hear the news of Moustapha's and his his daughter's death. This is an absolute tragedy. Moustapha will live on in the legacy that is the "Halloween" franchise, as well as with his other work. The original "Halloween" has inspired so many people, including myself, to become filmmakers. He's touched many lives, most of which he never knew. I'm sure he will continue to do that from above. My deepest sympathies are with the family they left behind." - Louis