Renowned director William Friedkin, best known for his iconic horror film The Exorcist and crime thriller The French Connection, died at 87.
William Friedkin dies: What’s the cause of death?
Friedkin’s wife, Sherry Lansing, tearfully spoke about her late husband to BBC, describing him as having had a wonderful life, and being an exceptional husband and father.
She mentioned that he was almost 88 years old and had a new movie, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, set for release at the Venice Film Festival in August 2023.
“He was the most wonderful husband in the world. He was the most wonderful father in the world. He had a big wonderful, life. There was no dream unfulfilled,” she said.
Details surrounding the cause of his death are yet to be confirmed.
William Friedkin obituary
William Friedkin’s filmmaking journey began in the early 1960s, but he reached the pinnacle of success in the 1970s with the release of The French Connection, a crime thriller that earned him five Academy Awards, including Best Director.
The film also secured Best Actor for Gene Hackman, solidifying Friedkin’s place as a cinematic master.
In 1973, Friedkin terrified and captivated audiences with the release of The Exorcist, a chilling tale of a possessed 12-year-old girl.
The film caused a sensation, with reports of moviegoers fainting, vomiting, and leaving the theatre in distress. It became a massive commercial success, grossing $500 million worldwide and earning several Oscar nominations.
Friedkin was not a fan of remakes of The Exorcist, expressing strong disapproval and calling them “ridiculous.” He believed his version to be unmatched, and the others lacked existence in comparison.
Though he faced challenges with the commercial performance of some later films, Friedkin’s legacy as a filmmaker remains cherished by both critics and audiences.
He left a profound mark on cinema, particularly with his work in the 1970s, which continues to stand out as timeless classics.
Reactions to news of Friedkin’s death
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People from the entertainment industry, including celebrities and colleagues, poured out their condolences and shared fond memories of the late director.
Mike Reiss, a producer for The Simpsons, recalled the show’s parody of Friedkin’s film Sorcerer, in which the director himself made a guest appearance.
Check out some of the reactions to Friedkin’s death we picked out from social media: