William Friedkin, Oscar-winning director of ‘The Exorcist’ and The French Connection,’ dead at 87

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William Friedkin, the renowned director who achieved early success with the captivating films “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist,” has passed away at the age of 87. The Oscar-winning director died in Los Angeles, as confirmed by a representative from his office and his wife, former studio head Sherry Lansing.

“The French Connection,” which earned Friedkin the Best Director Oscar, revolves around the true story of Detective James “Popeye” Doyle’s relentless pursuit of Frenchman Fernando Rey, the mastermind behind a major drug pipeline funneling heroin into the United States. The film received critical acclaim and won several Academy Awards, solidifying Friedkin as a prominent figure among a new generation of filmmakers.

Following this success, Friedkin directed the blockbuster hit “The Exorcist,” based on William Peter Blatty’s best-selling novel about a young girl possessed by the devil. The film’s terrifying scenes and exceptional cast, including Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, and Jason Miller, made it a box-office sensation, leaving audiences genuinely frightened and fascinated.

Despite these early triumphs, Friedkin’s later career did not reach the same heights. He continued to direct movies and TV shows, including works like “To Live and Die in L.A.,” “Cruising,” “Rules of Engagement,” and a TV remake of “12 Angry Men,” among others.

Born in Chicago on August 29, 1939, Friedkin began his journey in the entertainment industry as a teenager, directing live shows and documentaries. Over the years, he achieved critical acclaim for various works, including “The Boys in the Band,” a groundbreaking film about gay men.

Throughout his life, Friedkin experienced three short-lived marriages, including French actress Jeanne Moreau, British actress Lesley-Anne Down, and Los Angeles TV news anchor Kelly Lange. In 1991, he married Paramount studio executive Sherry Lansing.

At the time of his passing, Friedkin had completed work on his latest film, “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” featuring Kiefer Sutherland, which was scheduled to premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

The obituary was primarily written by the late Big Big News Correspondent Bob Thomas.

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• “The French Connection” – IMDb
• “The Exorcist” – IMDb
• Academy Awards – Oscars.org
• William Friedkin’s filmography – IMDb
• “The People Versus Paul Crump” – IMDb
• “Good Times” – IMDb
• “The Boys in the Band” – IMDb
• Linda Blair – IMDb
• Ellen Burstyn – IMDb
• Max Von Sydow – IMDb
• Jason Miller – IMDb
• Sherry Lansing – IMDb
• “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” – IMDb