William Friedkin, the Oscar-winning director of “The French Connection” and legend behind “The Exorcist,” has died at age 87.
His death in Los Angeles was first reported by Variety, and the news was confirmed by Chapman University dean Stephen Galloway, a friend of Friedkin’s wife, former studio head Sherry Lansing.Friedkin’s sensational 1971 “The French Connection” earned five Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture.
Friedkin’s 1973 “The Exorcist” changed the game for horror, earning Best Picture and Director nominations.Friedkin is regarded as a maverick of the New Hollywood school of filmmakers alongside the likes of Peter Bogdanovich and Francis Ford Coppola.
His other features include his breakout “The Birthday Party,” “The Boys in the Band,” “Sorcerer,” “Cruising,” “To Live and Die in L.A,” “Bug,” and most recently “Killer Joe” — all films that garnered controversy in one way or another.Friedkin’s latest film, “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,…
Read full article