Profile of William Friedkin on Famous Like Me

William Friedkin (born August 29, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Jewish-American movie and television director, producer, and writer best known for directing The Exorcist and The French Connection in the early 1970's. After seeing the movie Citizen Kane as a boy, he became fascinated with movies and immediately began working for WGN-TV after high school. He eventually began directing live television shows and documentaries including The People vs. Paul Crump which won several awards and helped to commute the death sentence of the film's subject.

Fed up with Chicago's notorious winters, Friedkin moved to Hollywood in 1965 and two years later, saw the release of his first feature film Good Times which starred Sonny and Cher. Several other films followed although Friedkin didn't want to be perceived as an art house director, until 1971 The French Connection was released to wide critical acclaim. It won 5 Academy Awards, including Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director. Friedkin followed with 1973's The Exorcist which revolutionized the horror genre and is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time. The Exorcist was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including nominations for Best Picture and Best Director.

By this point, Friedkin was thought of as one of the premier directors in Hollywood and many expected him to continue his string of blockbuster hits. Unfortunately, Friedkin was never able to find large success again in his later movies, starting with Sorcerer, an American remake of the movie Wages of Fear starring Roy Scheider. The movie had the misfortune of being released at the same time as Star Wars, which became the domineering box office champ. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, Friedkin found his films released to lackluster reviews and ticket sales.

In 2000, The Exorcist was re-released in theaters with extra footage and grossed a shocking $40 million in the U.S. alone.

Friedkin has been married four times, including a short marriage to French actress Jeanne Moreau. He is currently married to film executive Sherry Lansing.

Filmography (as director)

• The Hunted (2003)
• Rules of Engagement (2000)
• Jade (1995)
• Blue Chips (1994)
• The Guardian (1990)
• Rampage (1988)
• To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
• Deal of the Century (1983)
• Cruising (1980)
• The Brink's Job (1979)
• Sorcerer (1977)
• The Exorcist (1973)
• The French Connection (1971)
• The Boys in the Band (1970)
• The Night They Raided Minsky's (1968)
• The Birthday Party (1968)
• Good Times (1967)

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