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Sam Firstenberg

  • Director
  • Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Sam Firstenberg
A documentary about Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus - two movie-obsessed cousins whose passion for cinema changed the way movies were made and marketed - and the tale of how this passion ultimately led to the demise of the company they built together.
Play trailer3:04
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014)
1 Video
1 Photo
Since 1980 Sam Firstenberg has been in the independent filmmaking field. Directing 22 theatrical feature films since completing his graduate studies in film at Loyola Marymount University. One More Chance (1981), starring Kirstie Alley, won prizes in major film festivals and sparked the beginning of his career as a director. Subsequent films have become commercial hits and cult classics, especially the "American Ninja" series starring Michael Dudikoff and the break-dance phenomenon Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984).

Born in Poland, he grew up in Jerusalem, Israel. In 1972 he moved to the US where "Shmulik" became "Sam", and he completed his graduate studies in film at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, where he resides with his wife and three daughters.
BornMarch 13, 1950
  • More at IMDbProContact info & Agent info
  • BornMarch 13, 1950
    IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • IMDbProContact info & Agent info
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Known for:

    One More Chance (1981)
    One More Chance
    5.5
    • Director(as Samuel Firstenberg)
    • 1981
    Cyborg Cop II (1994)
    Cyborg Cop II
    3.6
    • Director
    • 1994
    David Bradley and Frank Zagarino in Blood Warriors (1993)
    Blood Warriors
    4.3
    • Director
    • 1993
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    American Ninja
    5.4
    • Director(directed by)
    • 1985

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Director

    • The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space (2003)
      The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space
      4.1
      Video
      • Director
      • 2003
    • Quicksand (2002)
      Quicksand
      4.4
      • Director
      • 2002
    • Spiders II: Breeding Ground (2001)
      Spiders II: Breeding Ground
      3.3
      • Director
      • 2001
    • Criss Cross (2001)
      Criss Cross
      5.4
      • Director
      • 2001
    • Michael Madsen, Eric Roberts, and Ice-T in The Alternate (2000)
      The Alternate
      3.1
      • Director
      • 2000
    • Hulk Hogan, Robert Vaughn, Grace Jones, and Todd Sheeler in McCinsey's Island (1998)
      McCinsey's Island
      3.2
      • Director
      • 1998
    • Motel Blue (1997)
      Motel Blue
      4.5
      • Director
      • 1997
    • Operation Delta Force (1997)
      Operation Delta Force
      3.8
      TV Movie
      • Director
      • 1997
    • Cyborg Cop II (1994)
      Cyborg Cop II
      3.6
      • Director
      • 1994
    • David Bradley and Frank Zagarino in Blood Warriors (1993)
      Blood Warriors
      4.3
      • Director
      • 1993
    • David Bradley and Todd Jensen in Cyborg Cop (1993)
      Cyborg Cop
      4.2
      • Director
      • 1993
    • Mark Dacascos and David Bradley in American Samurai (1992)
      American Samurai
      4.9
      • Director
      • 1992
    • Rob Stewart in Sweating Bullets (1991)
      Sweating Bullets
      7.6
      TV Series
      • Director
      • 1992
    • Delta Force 3: The Killing Game (1991)
      Delta Force 3: The Killing Game
      3.4
      • Director
      • 1991
    • Neshika Bametzach (1990)
      Neshika Bametzach
      6.2
      • Director (as Shmulik Firstenberg)
      • 1990

    Second Unit or Assistant Director

    • Caitlin Martin in Crocodile (2000)
      Crocodile
      3.7
      Video
      • second unit director
      • 2000
    • Al Tishali Im Ani Ohev (1979)
      Al Tishali Im Ani Ohev
      • second assistant director
      • 1979
    • Jesus (1979)
      Jesus
      7.1
      • assistant director
      • 1979
    • Hamesh Ma'ot Elef Shahor (1977)
      Hamesh Ma'ot Elef Shahor
      6.1
      • assistant director
      • 1977
    • Bo Nefotzetz Million (1977)
      Bo Nefotzetz Million
      6.3
      • assistant director
      • 1977
    • Mivtsa Yonatan (1977)
      Mivtsa Yonatan
      6.6
      • assistant director: second unit
      • 1977
    • Yehuda Barkan in Lupo B'New York (1976)
      Lupo B'New York
      6.3
      • assistant director
      • 1976
    • Mishpahat Tzan'ani (1976)
      Mishpahat Tzan'ani
      7.4
      • assistant director
      • 1976
    • Diamonds (1975)
      Diamonds
      5.1
      • second assistant director (as Shmuel Firstenberg)
      • 1975

    Writer

    • Cyborg Cop II (1994)
      Cyborg Cop II
      3.6
      • story
      • 1994
    • David Bradley and Frank Zagarino in Blood Warriors (1993)
      Blood Warriors
      4.3
      • story
      • 1993
    • One More Chance (1981)
      One More Chance
      5.5
      • written by (as Samuel Firstenberg)
      • 1981
    • Simpatya Bishviel Kelev
      • Writer (as Shmulik Firstenberg)
      • 1979

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 3:04
    Official Trailer

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Official site
      • Sam Firstenberg
    • Alternative names
      • Samuel Firstenberg
    • Born
      • March 13, 1950
      • Poland
    • Spouse
      • ?(3 children)
    • Publicity listings
      • 1 Print Biography

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Father of Ayelet Firstenberg.

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