William Friedkin, Oscar-Winning Director of The Exorcist, Has Died

William Friedkin arrives for the screening of the re-release of the classic thriller “The Exorcist” September 21, 2000 in Los Angeles, CA.

One of the greatest American film directors of his generation, William Friedkin, died this week in Los Angeles at the age of 87. Best known for films like The Exorcist, The French Connection, Sorcerer, Cruising, and To Live and Die in L.A., Friedkin was as prolific as he was talented, redefining the horror genre one year, and winning the Oscar for Best Picture and Director the next.

Born in Chicago, Friedkin got his start in filmmaking working for a local TV news station in the 1960s. There, he did many documentaries and news segments before making the jump to Hollywood. He began with a few TV shows, such as The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and eventually transitioned into features. It took a few years and a few movies but then, in 1971, he made The French Connection starring Gene Hackman. Friedkin’s down-and-dirty vision and unfathomable car chase scenes changed cop movies forever and won him an Oscar for Best Director; Hackman also picked up an Oscar for Best Actor and the film itself won Best Picture.

Read more

• Anchor Brewing’s Shutdown Was Only the Beginning

• Grimes on Her Second Date With Elon Musk: 'This Guy Is F*cking Crazy'

• The Reason Black Folks Are Rejoicing Over The Montgomery Brawl Is More Complicated Than You Think

• TikTok Star and Her Mom Found Guilty of Murdering Man Who Threatened Revenge Porn

• It's Almost Impossible To Find A Decent Used Car Under $20,000

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

More from Gizmodo

• The EV Early Adopter Era Is Over, And Automakers Are Scrambling

• The 9 Best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Games

• Everything We Know About Grand Theft Auto 6

• Police Want to Talk to Montgomery Brawl's ‘Folding Chair Man,' Black Twitter Says ‘What Chair?’

• Baldur's Gate 3 May Not Get DLC Due To D&D's OP Leveling

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.