William Friedkin, the renowned filmmaker behind iconic movies of the 1970s such as “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist,” has passed away. His wife Sherry Lansing, former CEO of Paramount Pictures, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday confirmed the news. He was 87 years old.
Friedkin's exceptional contributions to cinema were highlighted by his Academy Award victory for best director in 1972 for "The French Connection." His talent continued to shine, earning him another nomination for the same prestigious award just two years later with the occult horror masterpiece "The Exorcist." This groundbreaking film defied genre boundaries, amassing ten nominations and securing two Academy Awards.
Friedkin's directorial debut happened in 1965 with the TV movie "The Bold Men." However, it was "The Boys in the Band" from 1970 that marked a pivotal moment, recognized for its pioneering exploration of gay themes in cinema, establishing a golden era for the filmmaker.
Among Friedkin's notable works is the 1980 film "Cruising," featuring Al Pacino, as well as "To Live and Die in L.A." in 1985, which starred Willem Dafoe. His filmography also encompasses "Bug" from 2006, starring Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, and Harry Connick Jr., along with 2000's "Rules of Engagement," which showcased Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson.
However, not all his endeavors enjoyed equal success. "Jade," released in 1995 and starring David Caruso (recently known from "NYPD Blue") and Linda Fiorentino, stands out as a notorious misstep – an erotic-thriller that failed to find its footing.
Friedkin's most recent directorial effort dates back to 2017 with "The Devil and Father Amorth." He also has an upcoming film in the pipeline titled "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial," starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, and Jake Lacy, as indicated on his IMDb page.
A true testament to the enduring impact of Friedkin's "Exorcist," adapted from William Peter Blatty's novel, is the scheduled release of a fresh installment this October. This release comes exactly 50 years after the debut of the original film and features the return of Ellen Burstyn, the star of the inaugural movie.
He leaves behind his surviving wife, as well as his two sons, Jackson and Cedric Friedkin.
