Personal Info
Birth date
1935-08-29 (89 Years)
Day of death
2023-08-07
Gender
Male
Known for
Directing
Place of birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Also known as
윌리엄 프리드킨
윌리암 프리드킨
William Friedkin
Biography
William David Friedkin (August 29, 1935 – August 7, 2023) was an American film, television and opera director, producer, and screenwriter who was closely identified with the "New Hollywood" movement of the 1970s. Beginning his career in documentaries in the early 1960s, he is best known for his crime thriller film The French Connection (1971), which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and the horror film The Exorcist (1973), which earned him another Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Friedkin's other films in the 1970s and 1980s include the drama The Boys in the Band (1970), considered a milestone of queer cinema; the originally deprecated, now lauded thriller Sorcerer (1977); the crime comedy drama The Brink's Job (1978); the controversial thriller Cruising (1980); and the neo-noir thriller To Live and Die in L.A. (1985). Although Friedkin's works suffered an overall commercial and critical decline in the late 1980s, his last three feature films, all based on plays, were positively received by critics: the psychological horror film Bug (2006), the crime film Killer Joe (2011), and the legal drama film The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023), released two months after his death. He also worked extensively as an opera director from 1998 until his death, and directed various television films and series episodes for television. Description above from the Wikipedia article William Friedkin, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Filmography
The Simpsons
8.011
Overview:
Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
7.6
Overview:
A Las Vegas team of forensic investigators are trained to solve criminal cases by scouring the crime scene, collecting irrefutable evidence and finding the missing pieces that solve the mystery.Through the Night with...
8
Overview:
Durch die Nacht mit … is a German documentary film television series produced by ZDF for Franco-German television channel ARTE. Locations are mainly in France or Germany. The title of the French version is Au cœur de la nuit. Two Celebrities spend an filmed evening together. One of them is the host who sets the location and the program. There is no moderator.The Twilight Zone
7.748
Overview:
This 1980s revival of the classic sci-fi series features a similar style to the original anthology series. Each episode tells a tale (sometimes two or three) rooted in horror or suspense, often with a surprising twist at the end. Episodes usually feature elements of drama and comedy.The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
7.847
Overview:
A continuation of the anthology series “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, hosted by the master of suspense and featuring thrillers and mysteries.Tales from the Crypt
7.954
Overview:
Cadaverous scream legend the Crypt Keeper is your macabre host for these forays of fright and fun based on the classic E.C. Comics tales from back in the day. So shamble up to the bar and pick your poison. Will it be an insane Santa on a personal slay ride? Honeymooners out to fulfill the "til death do we part" vow ASAP?Rebel Highway
10
Overview:
Rebel Highway was a short-lived revival of American International Pictures created and produced by Lou Arkoff, the son of Samuel Z. Arkoff and Debra Hill for the Showtime channel in 1994. The concept was 10-week series of 1950s "drive-in classic" B-movies remade "with a '90s edge". The impetus for the series, according to Arkoff was, "what it would be like if you made Rebel Without a Cause today. It would be more lurid, sexier, and much more dangerous, and you definitely would have had Natalie Wood's top off".100 Years of Warner Bros.
7.8
Overview:
Tracing a century of movie and TV history, these four documentary specials explore the unparalleled global impact of Warner Bros. on art, commerce, and culture.The Exorcist
7.7
Overview:
When a charming 12-year-old girl takes on the characteristics and voices of others, doctors say there is nothing they can do. As people begin to die, the girl's mother realizes her daughter has been possessed by the Devil. Her daughter's only possible hope lies with two priests and the ancient rite of demonic exorcism.The Hunted
6.161
Overview:
In the wilderness of British Columbia, two hunters are tracked and viciously murdered by Aaron Hallam. A former Special Operations instructor is approached and asked to apprehend Hallam—his former student—who has 'gone rogue' after suffering severe battle stress from his time in Kosovo.Sorcerer
7.427
Overview:
Four men from different parts of the globe, all hiding from their pasts in the same remote South American town, agree to risk their lives transporting several cases of dynamite (which is so old that it is dripping unstable nitroglycerin) across dangerous jungle terrain.The French Connection
7.5
Overview:
Tough narcotics detective 'Popeye' Doyle is in hot pursuit of a suave French drug dealer who may be the key to a huge heroin-smuggling operation.12 Angry Men
7.66
Overview:
During the trial of a man accused of his father's murder, a lone juror takes a stand against the guilty verdict handed down by the others as a result of their preconceptions and prejudices.Cruising
6.61
Overview:
When New York is caught in the grip of a sadistic serial killer who preys on patrons of the city's underground bars, young rookie Steve Burns infiltrates the S&M subculture to try and lure him out of the shadows.To Live and Die in L.A.
7.1
Overview:
When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters.Rules of Engagement
6.252
Overview:
A Marine Colonel is brought to court-martial after ordering his men to fire on demonstrators surrounding the American embassy in Yemen.Jade
5.5
Overview:
When a prominent art dealer is found murdered, the man's death leads to an intriguing investigation steeped in sex, corruption and crime. District Attorney David Corelli gets assigned to the case and discovers that a key suspect is his ex-lover Katrina Gavin, a beautiful psychologist who has settled down with his old friend and peer. As Corelli gets deeper into the case, he uncovers dark secrets with far-reaching implications.Killer Joe
6.527
Overview:
A cop who moonlights as a hit man agrees to kill the hated mother of a desperate drug dealer in exchange for a tumble with the young man's virginal sister.The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial
6.75
Overview:
Barney Greenwald, a skeptical lawyer, reluctantly defends an officer of the navy who took control of the Caine from its captain, Lt. Philip Francis Queeg, while caught in a violent sea storm. As the court-martial proceeds, however, Greenwald increasingly questions if it was truly a mutiny or rather the courageous acts of a group of sailors who could not trust their unstable leader.Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist
NYR
Overview:
A intimate reflection at the making of and cultural phenomenon of one of the most popular and profitable horror films ever made, The Exorcist (1973).Bug
6.128
Overview:
In Oklahoma, Agnes, a lonely waitress living in an isolated and dilapidated roadside motel, meets Peter, a quiet and mysterious man with whom she establishes a peculiar relationship.Blue Chips
6.079
Overview:
Pete Bell, a college basketball coach is under a lot of pressure. His team isn't winning and he cannot attract new players. The stars of the future are secretly being paid by boosters. This practice is forbidden in the college game, but Pete is desperate and has pressures from all around.The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist
7.3
Overview:
A behind-the-scenes retrospective made for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the classic horror film, The Exorcist. Includes interviews with Linda Blair and the other stars of the film, along with commentary from the director and writer on some of the deeper meanings behind the elements they used to terrify their audiences, and previously unreleased footage including make-up tests and deleted scenes.Rampage
5.917
Overview:
Liberal district attorney decides to seek the death penalty for a man who slaughtered a family at Christmastime, then drank their blood. He escapes, though, and starts killing again.The Night They Raided Minsky's
5.69
Overview:
Rachel arrives in New York from her Amish community intent on becoming a dancer. Unfortunately Billy Minsky's Burlesque is hardly the place for her Dances From The Bible. But the show's comedian Raymond sees a way of wrong-footing the local do-gooders by announcing the new Paris sensation "Mme Fifi" and putting on Rachel's performance as the place is raided. All too complicated, the more so since her father is scouring the town for her and both Raymond and his straight-man Chick are falling for Rachel.Without Limits
6.5
Overview:
The life of renowned runner Steve Prefontaine and his relationship with legendary coach Bill Bowerman.The Guardian
5.7
Overview:
Phil and Kate select the winsome young Camilla as a live-in nanny for their newborn child, but the seemingly lovely Camilla is not what she appears to be...The Boys in the Band
7
Overview:
A witty, perceptive and devastating look at the personal agendas and suppressed revelations swirling among a group of gay men in Manhattan. Harold is celebrating a birthday, and his friend Michael has drafted some other friends to help commemorate the event. As the evening progresses, the alcohol flows, the knives come out, and Michael's demand that the group participate in a devious telephone game, unleashing dormant and unspoken emotions.Deal of the Century
4.645
Overview:
Arms dealers from several companies vie to sell the most expensive and highest tech weapons to a South American dictator. There are complications; understanding the exact nature of how 'gifts' are used to grease the wheels of a sale, a religious conversion from one of the salesman and a romance that begins to grow between two competitors.Acting
2024Peter Lorre : Derrière le masque du maudit as Self (archive footage)
2024Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist as Self
2023The Exorcist Untold as Self (archive footage)
2023Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist as Self
2023100 Years of Warner Bros. (1 Episode) as Self
2022The Lost Print: The Making of Orson Welles’ The Magnificent Ambersons as Self
2021Algren as Self
2021I Am Alfred Hitchcock as Self
2020Fellini of the Spirits as Self
2018Friedkin Uncut as Self
2018The Devil and Father Amorth as Self
2016Return to the Genre as Unknown
2015Sorcerers: A Conversation with William Friedkin and Nicolas Winding Refn as Unknown
2014Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
2014Henri Langlois vu par... as Self
2013The Making of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz as Self
2013A Fuller Life as Self - Reader (segment "My Ballsy Yarns")
2013Don't Say No Until I Finish Talking: The Story of Richard D. Zanuck as Self
2013Tales from the Warner Bros. Lot as Self
2012Stanley Kubrick in Focus as Self
2012Casablanca: An Unlikely Classic as Self
2012Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You Never Heard Of as Self
2011Making the Boys as Self
2011Miller's Tale as Self
2010Godard Made in USA as Self
2010The Exorcist Locations: Georgetown Then and Now as Self
2010Raising Hell: Filming the Exorcist as Self
2009Fasten Your Seatbelt: The Thrilling Art of Alfred Hitchcock as Self
2009The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style as Self
2009North by Northwest: One for the Ages as Self
2009Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman as Self
2009Anatomy of a Chase as Self
2008Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of Hitchcock as Self
2008Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock as Self
2008In the Master's Shadow: Hitchcock's Legacy as Self
2008The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't as Self
2007Great Bolshy Yarblockos!: Making 'A Clockwork Orange' as Self
2007View from the Overlook: Crafting 'The Shining' as Self
2007The Visions of Stanley Kubrick as Self
2007Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001 as Self
2007The History of 'Cruising' as Self
2007Exorcising 'Cruising' as Self
2007The History of 'Cruising' as Self
2007Tatort Oper - Wie Filmemacher Oper machen as Self
2007The Man Who Shot Chinatown: The Life and Work of John A. Alonzo as Self
2006Shadows of Suspense as Self
2005Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy as Unknown
2004A Little Solitaire as Self
2004Leçon de Cinéma (1 Episode) as Self
2003Counterfeit World: Making 'To Live and Die in L.A.' as Self
2003Pursuing “The Hunted” as Self
2003The Cutting Edge as Self
2003Filming “The Hunted” as Self
2003Narc: The Friedkin Connection as Self
2003A Decade Under the Influence as Self
2002Through the Night with... (1 Episode) as Self
2001Making the Connection: Untold Stories of The French Connection as Self
2000The Poughkeepsie Shuffle: Tracing 'The French Connection' as Self
1998Without Limits as TV Director
1998The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist as Self - Director
1998Billy Wilder: The Human Comedy as Self
1997Howard Hawks: American Artist as Self
1997Hollywood Halloween as Self
1991Fear in the Dark as Self
1989The Simpsons (1 Episode) as Dr. Kenneth Humphries (voice)
1986Putting It Together: The Making of the Broadway Album as Unknown
1975Conversation with Fritz Lang as Self
Writing
2023The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial ... Teleplay
2018The Devil and Father Amorth ... Writer
1990The Guardian ... Screenplay
1988C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf ... Story
1987Rampage ... Writer
1985To Live and Die in L.A. ... Screenplay
1980Cruising ... Writer
1977Sorcerer ... Screenplay
1971The French Connection ... Screenplay
1967Good Times ... Screenplay
1966The Thin Blue Line ... Story
Directing
2023The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial ... Director
2018The Devil and Father Amorth ... Director
2015Verdi Aida ... Stage Director
2014Henri Langlois vu par... ... Director
2012Killer Joe ... Director
2007The Painter's Voice ... Director
2007Bug ... Director
2003The Hunted ... Director
2000CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2 Episodes) ... Director
2000Rules of Engagement ... Director
199712 Angry Men ... Director
1995Jade ... Director
1994Jailbreakers ... Director
1994Rebel Highway (10 Episodes) ... Director
1994Blue Chips ... Director
1990The Guardian ... Director
1989Tales from the Crypt (1 Episode) ... Director
1988C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf ... Director
1987Rampage ... Director
1986C.A.T. Squad ... Director
1986Putting It Together: The Making of the Broadway Album ... Director
1985To Live and Die in L.A. ... Director
1985The Twilight Zone (1 Episode) ... Director
1984Self Control ... Director
1983Deal of the Century ... Director
1980Cruising ... Director
1978The Brink's Job ... Director
1977Sorcerer ... Director
1975Conversation with Fritz Lang ... Director
1973The Exorcist ... Director
1971The French Connection ... Director
1970The Boys in the Band ... Director
1968The Night They Raided Minsky's ... Director
1968The Birthday Party ... Director
1967Good Times ... Director
1967The Pickle Brothers ... Director
1966The Thin Blue Line ... Director
1965Pro Football: Mayhem on a Sunday Afternoon ... Director
1965The Bold Men ... Director
1962The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1 Episode) ... Director
1962The People vs. Paul Crump ... Director
Crew
1998The Fear of God: 25 Years of The Exorcist ... Thanks
Production
1988C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf ... Executive Producer
1987Rampage ... Producer
1986C.A.T. Squad ... Executive Producer
1977Sorcerer ... Producer
1967Muggins ... Producer
1966The Thin Blue Line ... Producer
1962The People vs. Paul Crump ... Producer