"Halloween" Godfather Honored In South Pasadena

The memory of Halloween franchise figurehead Moustapha Akkad was honored last February with a landmark dedication in Pasadena, California. Located on the corner of Laurie Strode's own street (Oxley and Fairview) a bench has been installed with a plaque devoted to his memory:

In Loving Memory of Moustapha Akkad
Known to the world as the Godfather of the HALLOWEEN film series.
Your Legacy lives on…
Filmed in So. Pasadena 1978

Halloween Movies reports that Halloween 25th Anniversary convention organizer Paul Swearingen was instrumental in working with the city of Pasadena in getting the project off the ground and completed. “Being a former resident of South Pasadena, where the first movie was made, I knew when someone passed away, the city would, many times, have a bench or tree planted in the park, along with a memorial plaque,” shares Swearingen. “I asked the city if we could possibly do it near or on a location where the film was shot, and the city council agreed.”

Malek Akkad, who has since replaced his father as the producer of the Halloween series, has announced his sincerest thanks for honoring Moustapha Akkad's memory: “I am humbled by the generosity shown by the city of South Pasadena with the memorial to Moustapha,” he said, adding "The city was as much a character in the original Halloween as the cast, and this bench is a great way to celebrate our shared history and my father’s legacy. He would have been very proud.”

Moustapha Akkad's life was cut short in 2005 during the terrorist coordinated bombing of five hotels in Amman, Jordan. His daughter, Rima Akkad Monla, was also a casualty.

Akkad will be remember among horror fans as the man who kept Michael Myers alive long after fans, critics, box office, and storylines dictated otherwise. Much like A Nightmare On Elm Street producer and former New Line head Bob Shaye, Akkad's legacy will be forever tied to a franchise that continues to strike fear into the hearts and imaginations of movie fans the world over. The landmark is a great reminder of his life and achievements, and a fitting thanks to Halloween's biggest supporter.

Photographer Robert Kerr provided pictures of the memorial, which can be seen below.





Extra Tidbit: Akkad is also well known for his Muslim themed historical epics Mohammed, Messenger of God and Lion of the Desert. The former's goal was to portray the prophet Mohammed on film in a way that respected the laws of Islam. Both are available on DVD.