William Friedkin dead at 87: The Exorcist and The French Connection director passes away in Los Angeles, his wife Sherry Lansing confirms

By Heidi Parker For Dailymail.com

Updated: 18:33 BST, 7 August 2023

William Friedkin passed away on Monday morning in Los Angeles at the age of 87.

The news was shared by his 79-year-old wife, Sherry Lansing, who was a movie producer and studio head who now works with charities.

The Oscar-winner had directed the big hit films The French Connection and The Exorcist.

William had also worked on 1977’s Sorcerer, 1985’s To Live And Die in L.A. and 2006’s Bug.

Sad loss for Hollywood: William Friedkin passed away on Monday morning in Los Angeles at the age of 87. The news was shared by his wife, Sherry Lansing, who was a movie producer and studio head who now works with charities; seen in the 1970s

Sad loss for Hollywood: William Friedkin passed away on Monday morning in Los Angeles at the age of 87. The news was shared by his wife, Sherry Lansing, who was a movie producer and studio head who now works with charities; seen in the 1970s

At work: Here he is seen in 1974 explaining the next scene to Linda Blair during the making of the Exorcist

At work: Here he is seen in 1974 explaining the next scene to Linda Blair during the making of the Exorcist

At work: Here he is seen in 1974 explaining the next scene to Linda Blair during the making of the Exorcist

In recent years: Seen in 2019 in Italy at the presentation of Friedkin Uncut - Un diavolo di regista (A Devil Of Director)

In recent years: Seen in 2019 in Italy at the presentation of Friedkin Uncut - Un diavolo di regista (A Devil Of Director)

In recent years: Seen in 2019 in Italy at the presentation of Friedkin Uncut – Un diavolo di regista (A Devil Of Director) 

He was born in Chicago in 1935.

In the 1960s he headed to Hollywood for a career in film.

One of his first big gigs was directing an episode of the classic TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Soon he was on to feature films.

He helmed Good Times (1967), The Birthday Party (1968) and The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1968).

He got a hit with 1970’s The Boys in the Band.

Then he was handed the job of directing Hollywood A lister Gene Hackman as Detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection.

It was a slow burn thriller brought to life with daring car-chase scenes, and it earned William raves.

The film won four other Oscars including Best Picture.

Then he got behind the horror film The Exorcist starring Linda Blair as a teenager possessed by the devil.

She levitates and her head spins as a priest (Max von Sydow) tries to save her.

Te film won Oscars for Lead Actress Ellen Burstyn and screenwriter William Peter Blatty and also scored Supporting nominations for Blair and Jason Miller.

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