William Friedkin biography
William Friedkin, officially known as William David Friedkin was an American film and television director, producer, and screenwriter.
He was one of the most admired directors to emerge from a wave of brilliant filmmakers who made their mark in the 1970s
Friedkin made his name following the production of two of the biggest box-office hits of the 1970s; “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist”
“The French Connection” won him five Academy Awards including best picture, screenplay, and film editing, and also earned him the best director award.
The Exorcist, released in 1973, had audiences horrified and entranced by the story of a 12-year-old girl possessed by the devil.
The film is reported to have grossed $500m (£391m) worldwide. It was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning two, and spawned multiple sequels.
Friedkin was also known for his work on “Bug, “Killer Joe”, “To Live and Die in L.A.,” “Sorcerer” and “The Boys in the Band”, among others.
His most recent work was 2017’s “The Devil and Father Amorth,” a documentary about exorcism.
Sadly, the multifaceted director has died. Friedkin passed away at 87 on Monday, August 7, 2023, at his home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Friedkin died of heart failure and pneumonia at his home in Bel Air, his wife, former producer and studio head Sherry Lansing, announced.
Friedkin died before his latest movie, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, could hit screens at the Venice Film Festival beginning on 30 August.
Following his demise, tributes have started to come in from figures in Hollywood, well-wishers as well as movie lovers.
William Friedkin Age
William Friedkin died at 87, a few days before his 88th birthday. The renowned director was born on August 29, 1935, and passed away on August 7, 2023.
William Friedkin Height & Weight
William Friedkin’s height and weight are unknown at this time of writing.
William Friedkin Parents
William Friedkin was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States to his parents; Rachael (mother) and Louis Friedkin (father).
His parents were Jewish emigrants from Ukraine. His mother was an operating room registered nurse while his father was a semi-professional softball player, merchant seaman, and men’s clothing salesman.
William Friedkin Wife
Before his death, William Friedkin was married four times:
His first marriage was to Jeanne Moreau, a French actress, singer, screenwriter, director, and socialite. The couple married on February 8, 1977, and divorced in 1979.
Friedkin married his second wife, Lesley-Anne Downin 1982 and divorced in 1985. Lesley-Anne is a British actress, singer, and former model.
Following their separation, the director got married to his third wife, Kelly Lange on June 7, 1987. The marriage ended in divorce in 1990.
Kelly Lange is an American journalist, most notable for being the first woman to be a nightly news anchor in Los Angeles
The late American film and television director is survived by his fourth wife, Sherry Lansing, an American philanthropist and retired film studio executive.
Sherry, born on July 31, 1944, attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (1962) and Northwestern University (1966). She’s the chairwoman of the Universal Music Group.
Sherry worked as the chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures and president of production at 20th Century Fox. From 1999 to 2022, she was on the University of California Board of Regents
William Friedkin Children
William Friedkin is survived by his two sons; Jackson Friedkin and Cedric Friedkin.
In 1972, Friedkin had a relationship with Jennifer Nairn-Smith, an Australian dancer and choreographer.
Friedkin and Jennifer announced an engagement twice but they never married. They gave birth to Cedric on November 27, 1976
The late film and television director, Friedkin and his second wife, Lesley-Anne Down, also had a son, Jack, born in 1982
William Friedkin Siblings
William Friedkin never shared any information regarding his siblings hence we can’t state whether or not he’s the only child of his parents; Rachael (mother) and Louis Friedkin (father). There are no records about that.
William Friedkin Films
The late American film and television director, producer, and screenwriter worked on several projects such as Good Times, The Birthday Party, The Boys in the Band, The Brink’s Job, Cruising, Deal of the Century, Rampage, The Guardian, Blue Chips, Jade, The Hunted, Killer Joe, and Rules of Engagement, among others.
William Friedkin Awards
The late American film and television director is a recipient of several awards from; the Venice Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Saturn Award, Locarno International Film Festival, Munich Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival, Empire Awards, Cognac Festival du Film Policier, Golden Globes, and Academy Award, among others
William Friedkin Net Worth
For his decades in the entertainment industry, William Friedkin died a multi-millionaire. He accumulated an estimated net worth of $70 million. He made his name with two of the biggest box-office hits of the 1970s.
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