Los Angeles, August 7, 2023 – William Friedkin, the Oscar-winning filmmaker celebrated for his exceptional works including The Exorcist and The French Connection, has sadly departed at the age of 87. The news of Friedkin’s passing was confirmed by his wife, former producer, and studio executive Sherry Lansing.

Born on August 29, 1935, in Chicago, Friedkin initially embarked on his directing journey in television before venturing into the realm of cinema, captivating audiences with his remarkable storytelling. In the mid-1960s, he made his mark by directing an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Hour and overseeing various telefilms. As the era transitioned, Friedkin took his talents to the big screen, directing films such as Good Times (1967), The Birthday Party (1968), and The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1968).

The 1970s saw Friedkin’s rise to prominence with the striking success of The Boys in the Band. Building on his growing reputation, he steered his creative prowess towards The French Connection, an electrifying thriller starring Gene Hackman as the iconic Detective Popeye Doyle. The French Connection clinched multiple prestigious Oscars, including the coveted Best Picture award. Bolstered by this monumental achievement, Friedkin set his sights on a cinematic endeavor that would send shivers down the spines of moviegoers – The Exorcist.

Released in 1973, the horror classic delves into the haunting tale of Reagan MacNeil, portrayed by Linda Blair, a young girl ensnared by a demonic force that pushes two Catholic priests to question the very essence of their faith and vocation. The Exorcist’s cinematic triumph was further highlighted by its Best Picture win at the Academy Awards, alongside accolades for Lead Actress Ellen Burstyn and screenwriter William Peter Blatty. The performances of Blair and Jason Miller also garnered Supporting nominations.

The Exorcist, a cornerstone of horror cinema for many aficionados, continues to inspire fear and fascination, with an enhanced version of the film scheduled to grace the upcoming Venice Film Festival. Additionally, Ellen Burstyn is set to reprise her role in a remake, courtesy of Blumhouse, while The Exorcist: Believer is slated for an October theatrical release, with David Gordon Green directing and a cast led by Burstyn, Jennifer Nettles, and Ann Dowd.

The Exorcist remained an enduring passion for Friedkin throughout his career. One of his final undertakings, The Devil and Father Amorth, captures an authentic exorcism on camera, showcasing Friedkin’s perpetual intrigue in exploring the interplay between good and evil, and sharing these profound narratives with global audiences.

Among his diverse filmography, Friedkin also helmed the controversial film Cruising, which sparked debates due to its explicit content and was initially rated X by the MPAA. Undeterred by this restrictive classification, Friedkin trimmed 40 minutes from the film, starring Al Pacino and Paul Sorvino, to attain an R rating, a testament to his commitment to creative expression.

Following the success of To Live and Die in L.A., a gripping thriller featuring William Petersen and Willem Dafoe, Friedkin ventured into directing music videos, including projects for artists like Wang Chung and Barbra Streisand. His portfolio further encompassed works such as 1990’s The Guardian, the Tales From the Crypt episode “On a Deadman’s Chest,” the sports drama Blue Chips, Jade, and the 1998 MGM telefilm 12 Angry Men, featuring an ensemble cast including Jack Lemmon, Courtney B. Vance, George C. Scott, Ossie Davis, James Gandolfini, Edward James Olmos, Tony Danza, and Petersen, among others.

Like many visionary filmmakers, Friedkin acknowledged moments of regret and introspection. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “I’ve burned bridges and relationships to the point that I consider myself lucky to still be around. I never played by the rules, often to my own detriment. I’ve been rude, exercised bad judgment, squandered most of the gifts God gave me, and treated the love and friendship of others as I did Basquiat’s art and Prince’s music. When you are immune to the feelings of others, can you be a good father, a good husband, a good friend? Do I have regrets? You bet.” Friedkin’s candid words underscore the human complexities even within the enigmatic world of filmmaking, shedding light on the struggle between ego and empathy.