The Exorcist and The French Connection Fame "William Friedkin" Passes Away At 87 —

Hollywood filmmaker William Friedkin, known for the cult horror movie "The Exorcist" and the Oscar-winning "The French Connection," passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023. Friedkin died of heart failure and pneumonia at his home.

William Friedkin's wife, producer, and studio head, Sherry Lansing, announced the death of an 87-year-old filmmaker. Friedkin is often identified with the "New Hollywood" movement of the 1970s.

William Friedkin's most acclaimed work in the early phase of his career was the crime thriller "The French Connection" (1971), which won five Academy Awards, including Best Director for himself. His next flick, "The Exorcist" (1973), was a huge blockbuster at the box office and has become a cult classic over the years. Friedkin's last film before his death was "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial" (2023), which is scheduled to be premiered in September 2023 at the 80th Venice International Film Festival.