Dan Ireland(1949-2016)

He is one of the people instrumental in starting Paul Verhoeven's career in the United States. While screening several movies for a soft-porn theater, he came upon Turks fruit (1973), and was so impressed by it, that he gave it a wider release in the USA. He brought some of Verhoeven's Dutch films to the attention of producer Kathleen Kennedy, who showed them to her business partner Steven Spielberg. Spielberg introduced Verhoeven to several studio executives, which ultimately led to his first American co-production, Conquista sangrienta (1985), and a successful career in Hollywood.