William Friedkin

William David Friedkin (August 29, 1935 – August 7, 2023) was a notable American director, producer, and screenwriter who played a pivotal role in the "New Hollywood" era of the 1970s. He began his professional journey in the early 1960s with documentaries before transitioning to feature films. Friedkin gained widespread acclaim for his 1971 crime thriller, The French Connection, which captured five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. His 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist, further solidified his reputation, earning him a nomination for Best Director.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Friedkin directed several significant films, including The Boys in the Band (1970), a groundbreaking work in queer cinema; the initially overlooked thriller Sorcerer (1977), which has since gained appreciation; and the crime comedy-drama The Brink's Job (1978). His controversial thriller Cruising (1980) and neo-noir film To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) also showcased his diverse storytelling capabilities. While his later works faced a decline in commercial and critical success, Friedkin's final three features—Bug (2006), Killer Joe (2011), and The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023)—were met with critical acclaim, with the latter released shortly after his passing. Additionally, he had a successful career as an opera director from 1998 until his death, and he contributed to various television projects.