American director William Friedkin, popular for movies such as ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘French Connection’, has died at the age of 87.
He died Monday, August 7th 2023.
His death was confirmed by Chapman University dean Stephen Galloway, a friend of Friedkin’s wife Sherry Lansing.
In this article, we look at William Friedkin biography, age, net worth, wife, movies etc.
William Friedkin biography
William Friedkin was an American film and television director, producer and screenwriter who was closely associated with the New Hollywood movement of the 1970s.
He was best known for directing two acclaimed and influential films: The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973).
William Friedkin won an Oscar for best director for The French Connection and was nominated for The Exorcist. He also directed other films such as Sorcerer (1977), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) and Bug (2006).
The director was born William David Friedkin on August 29th, 1935, the son of Rachael (née Green) and Louis Friedkin. His father was a semi-professional softball player, merchant seaman, and men’s clothing salesman. His mother was an operating room registered nurse.
His parents were Jewish emigrants from Ukraine
As a teenager, Friedkin fell in love with the magic of cinema and found inspiration in classics like Citizen Kane and Psycho.
After finishing high school at the age of 16, William Friedkin started working in a TV station’s mailroom. But his ambition and talent couldn’t be contained for long. At the tender age of 18, he ventured into directing live television shows and documentaries, even winning awards for his work.
The real turning point in Friedkin’s life came when he released his gritty masterpiece, “The French Connection,” which won him multiple Academy Awards, including Best Director. This was followed by another iconic horror film, “The Exorcist,” that revolutionized the genre and earned numerous accolades.
Despite these early successes, Friedkin’s journey had its ups and downs. He faced criticism and financial disappointments with some of his later films.
In the 2000s, William Friedkin experienced a resurgence with the re-release of “The Exorcist,” which rekindled audiences’ love for the terrifying tale. He also delved into television, directing episodes for the popular series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
Never one to shy away from controversy, Friedkin directed “Killer Joe,” a black comedy that stirred both praise and controversy due to its NC-17 rating. He even penned his memoir, “The Friedkin Connection,” giving readers a glimpse into the extraordinary life of a filmmaker.
Years later, in 2022, after a hiatus from film directing, Friedkin returned to the spotlight with a promising new project, “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” starring the talented Kiefer Sutherland.
The movie is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Friedkin died on August 7th, 2023 at the age of 87. He was married to former producer and studio head Sherry Lansing.
William Friedkin wife
William Friedkin’s wife is Sherry Lansing. They got married in 1991 and have two children.
He was previously married to newscaster Kelly Lange and actors Lesley-Anne Down and Jeanne Moreau.
Net worth
According to different sources, William Friedkin’s net worth varied from $40 million to $70 million at the time of his death. He earned most of his wealth from his successful career as a film and television director, producer, and screenwriter.
Movies
William Friedkin’s movies include:
The French Connection (1971): A gritty and realistic crime thriller that won five Oscars, including best picture and best director for Friedkin. It follows two New York cops who try to stop a heroin smuggling ring from France1.
The Exorcist (1973): A terrifying and groundbreaking horror film that deals with the demonic possession of a young girl and the attempts of two priests to exorcise her. It was nominated for ten Oscars, including best picture and best director, and is widely considered one of the scariest films of all time.
Sorcerer (1977): A suspenseful and atmospheric adventure film that remakes the classic French film The Wages of Fear (1953). It tells the story of four men who risk their lives transporting explosives across a dangerous jungle.
To Live and Die in L.A. (1985): A stylish and violent neo-noir film that explores the dark side of Los Angeles. It features a rogue Secret Service agent who becomes obsessed with catching a counterfeiter.
Killer Joe (2011): A dark and twisted comedy-thriller that adapts the play by Tracy Letts. It stars Matthew McConaughey as a hitman who gets involved with a dysfunctional family who hire him to kill their mother.
The Devil and Father Amorth (2017) – A documentary film that explores the possibility of exorcism in the modern world.
Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com
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