Renowned filmmaker William Friedkin, known for directing iconic movies like “The Exorcist” and “The French Connection,” has passed away at the age of 87 in Los Angeles.
The news of Friedkin’s demise was confirmed by his wife, Sherry Lansing, a former producer and the former head of Paramount Pictures.
In addition to his well-known works, Friedkin also directed groundbreaking films such as “The Boys in the Band,” which focused on gay themes, and other boundary-pushing movies like “Cruising,” “Sorcerer,” “To Live and Die in L.A.,” “Bug,” and “Rules of Engagement.”
Friedkin was part of the celebrated group of filmmakers in the 1970s who revolutionized the traditional Hollywood studio system by creating rule-breaking, genre-defying projects that challenged the status quo. This group, which included Francis Ford Coppola and the late Peter Bogdanovich, attempted to preserve their individualistic independence by forming The Directors Company. However, internal conflicts led to the dissolution of the group, not long after they collectively turned down the opportunity to direct the blockbuster film “Star Wars” in 1976, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Friedkin was born on August 29, 1935, in Chicago. He grew up in a financially disadvantaged household, relying on welfare for support. Despite the circumstances, Friedkin was unaware of his family’s poverty as all of his friends lived in similar conditions. This deprived environment limited his exposure to books, films, music, and even moral values. In his autobiography, “The Friedkin Connection,” he admitted, “I literally didn’t know the difference between right and wrong.”
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