William Friedkin

William David Friedkin (August 29, 1935 – August 7, 2023) was an American film, television and opera director, producer, and screenwriter. He was closely associated with the 'New Hollywood' movement of the 1970s. Friedkin began his career in documentaries in the early 1960s and gained prominence for directing the crime thriller film The French Connection (1971), which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. He also directed the horror classic The Exorcist (1973), earning him another Academy Award nomination. Friedkin's other notable films include The Boys in the Band (1970), Sorcerer (1977), Cruising (1980), and Killer Joe (2011). He was born on August 29, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois.