William Friedkin, acclaimed director of “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist,” passed away at the age of 87 in Los Angeles on Monday. His death was confirmed by Stephen Galloway, a friend of Friedkin’s wife, Sherry Lansing. Despite his passing, his final film, “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” starring Kiefer Sutherland, is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Friedkin rose to A-list status in the 1970s alongside filmmakers like Peter Bogdanovich, Francis Ford Coppola, and Hal Ashby. Known for his innovative style and risk-taking approach, Friedkin brought a fresh energy to the horror and police thriller genres. His film “The French Connection,” shot in documentary style, won several Oscars including best picture, director, and actor for Gene Hackman. It became a touchstone for the police genre in films and television for years to come.
His next major hit, “The Exorcist,” grossed an astounding $500 million worldwide and kickstarted the blockbuster era. The heavily stylized thriller influenced the horror genre, much like “The French Connection” did for cop thrillers. Friedkin received a second Oscar nomination for his direction of “The Exorcist.”
After a string of successful films in the 1970s, Friedkin took a break from feature filmmaking until 1977’s “Sorcerer,” a remake of “The Wages of Fear.” He followed this with films such as “The Brink’s Job,” “Cruising,” and “Deal of the Century.” Although not as commercially successful, these films showcased Friedkin’s versatility as a director.
Throughout the 1980s, Friedkin shifted focus to television, working on series such as “Tales From the Crypt” and “The Twilight Zone.” In 2000, he directed the military drama “Rules of Engagement,” which had moderate success. Friedkin also directed a remake of “Twelve Angry Men” for cable and the documentary “Howard Hawks: American Artist.” A re-release of “The Exorcist” with additional footage earned $40 million in the U.S.
In the 2000s, Friedkin returned to the big screen with the thriller “The Hunted” and the horror film “Bug.” In 2011, he completed “Killer Joe,” a crime movie based on a play by Tracy Letts. Despite the controversial nature of the film, Friedkin continued to showcase his unique directing style.
Born in Chicago, Friedkin initially aspired to become a professional basketball player before pursuing journalism. He began his career in television, directing numerous shows and documentaries. His documentary, “The People vs. Paul Crump,” earned him a Golden Gate Award and led to further directing opportunities.
Friedkin is survived by his wife, Sherry Lansing, and two sons. Throughout his career, he was married to newscaster Kelly Lange and actors Lesley-Anne Down and Jeanne Moreau. Despite his passing, William Friedkin leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking films that continue to influence and inspire filmmakers today.