William Finley

William Finley (September 20, 1940 – April 14, 2012) was a notable American actor celebrated for his roles in various films, including Simon, Silent Rage, Phantom of the Paradise, Sisters, and The Wedding Party. His artistic journey was significantly intertwined with director Brian De Palma, with whom he forged a lasting friendship and collaboration that began with student projects such as Woton's Wake (1962) and Murder à la Mod (1968). Finley’s contributions to De Palma’s work continued well into the 21st century, with a memorable cameo in the director's 2006 film The Black Dahlia.

In addition to his acting career, Finley, under the pseudonym W. Franklin Finley, penned the screenplay for the 1983 film The First Time and co-authored the book Racewalking, published in 1985.

Finley was a proud alumnus of Columbia University, graduating in 1963. He spent much of his life in New York City, where he lived with his wife and son, balancing family life with his passion for the arts. His eclectic body of work and collaborations left a lasting impact in the film industry, reflecting his versatile talent and dedication to storytelling.