William David Friedkin was a renowned American film, television and opera director, producer, and screenwriter. Born on August 29, 1935, he became closely associated with the "New Hollywood" movement of the 1970s, directing ground-breaking films such as the crime thriller 'The French Connection' (1971) which won him five Academy Awards, including 'Best Picture' and 'Best Director', as well as 'The Exorcist' (1973) for which he received his second Academy Award nomination. He started his career in the early 1960s, making documentaries and lived till August 7, 2023. Aside from cinema, Friedkin worked extensively in opera directing from 1998 till his death, as well as directed several television films and series episodes. He was known for his strikingly original style and audacious narrative choices that earned him a unique place in the history of American cinema.

His other film credits include the drama 'The Boys in the Band' (1970), a landmark in queer cinema, the critically praised thriller 'Sorcerer' (1977), the controversial 'Cruising' (1980), and the neo-noir thriller 'To Live and Die in L.A.' (1985). Despite facing a slump in the late 1980s, Friedkin's later works were positively received, including psychological horror film 'Bug' (2006), the crime film 'Killer Joe' (2011), and the legal drama 'The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial' (2023). Friedkin was married four times and had two children. He passed away from heart failure and pneumonia in Los Angeles.