Person · Director
William Friedkin
From humble beginnings as the son of a struggling merchant seaman, William Friedkin rises to become one of Hollywood's most iconic directors, driven by his obsession with Orson Welles and a passion for storytelling that will take him to the heights of cinematic greatness.
- Also:
- Writer
- Producer
In short · Directed for seven decades — 49 credits, 3 Golden Globe Award wins.
Remembered for
Ranked by community engagement + sustained interest across this person's credits in our database.
Recent & in release
- Award win
Golden Globe Awards — Golden Globe — Best Director
- Award win
Golden Globe Awards — Golden Globe — Best Director
- Award win
Academy Awards — Oscar — Directing
Help complete this page
We’re missing birthplace, birth date. Sign in to add what you know.
Biography
William Friedkin, director of *To Live and Die in L.A.*, was born to a mother who worked as an operating room nurse and a father who served as a merchant seaman, played semi-professional softball, and later sold clothes at a men’s discount chain. Friedkin’s father never earned more than $50 a week and died in poverty. As a young man, Friedkin became infatuated with Orson Welles after watching *Citizen Kane* (1941). He began his career by taking a job at WGN TV.
Filmography · 26 of 26
A platform appears here when one of these titles streams on it. Click to filter — pick several to combine.
Director
23 credits
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial(2023)
Director
Film
Killer Joe(2012)
Director
Film
Bug(2006)
Director
Film
The Hunted(2003)
Director
Film
Rules of Engagement(2000)
Director
Film
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)
Directors
TV
12 Angry Men(1997)
Director
Film
Jade(1995)
Director
Film
Blue Chips(1994)
Director
Film
The Guardian(1990)
Director
Film
Rampage(1987)
Director
Film
C.A.T. Squad(1986)
Director
Film
To Live and Die in L.A.(1985)
Director
Film
Deal of the Century(1983)
Director
Film
Cruising(1980)
Director
Film
The Brink's Job(1978)
Director
Film
Sorcerer(1977)
Director
Film
The Exorcist(1973)
Director
Film
The French Connection(1971)
Director
Film
The Boys in the Band(1970)
Director
Film
The Birthday Party(1968)
Director
Film
The Night They Raided Minsky's(1968)
Director
Film
Good Times(1967)
Director
Film
Actor
2 credits
Producer
1 credit
Awards & Nominations
3 wins · 1 nominationGolden Globe Awards
- Won1973Golden Globe — Best Director
- Won1971Golden Globe — Best Director
Academy Awards
- Nom1973Oscar — Directing
- Won1971Oscar — Directing
Memorable quotes
Browse all →No quotes logged for William Friedkin yet — add the first memorable line below.
Got a quote we’re missing?
Submit a line from any film, show, or game.
Additional credits23Show
Non-headline appearances — talk-show, awards-show, panel, and archive-footage credits, kept separate from the main filmography.
- Fear and Love: The Story of the ExorcistSelf · 2024
- 100 Years of Warner Bros.Self (1 Episode) · 2023
- I Am Alfred HitchcockSelf · 2021
- Fellini of the SpiritsSelf · 2020
- Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the ExorcistSelf · 2019
- Friedkin UncutSelf · 2018
- The Devil and Father AmorthSelf - Director, The Exorcist · 2017
- Sorcerers: A Conversation with William Friedkin and Nicolas Winding RefnSelf · 2015
- AlgrenSelf · 2014
- Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You Never Heard OfSelf · 2012
- Miller's TaleSelf · 2011
- Hollywood's Best Film DirectorsSelf · 2009
- The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature StyleSelf · 2009
- North by Northwest: One for the AgesSelf · 2009
- The Man Who Shot Chinatown: The Life and Work of John A. AlonzoSelf · 2007
- The Visions of Stanley KubrickSelf · 2007
- The History of CruisingSelf · 2007
- Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton LegacySelf - Writer · 2005
- A Decade Under the InfluenceSelf · 2003
- Making the Connection: Untold Stories of 'the French Connection'Self - Director · 2001
- the-poughkeepsie-shuffle-tracing-the-french-connection-2000Self - Director · 2000
- The Fear of God: 25 Years of 'The Exorcist'Self - Director · 1998
- Fritz Lang Interviewed by William FriedkinSelf · 1975
Edit history
Loading edit history…
Comments (0)
on William FriedkinNo comments yet. Be the first to share what you think.