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 Friedkin's mother was an operating room nurse. His father was a merchant seaman, semi-pro softball player and ultimately sold clothes in a men's discount chain. Ultimately, his father never earned more than $50/week in his whole life and died indigent. Eventually young Will became infatuated with Orson Welles after seeing Citizen Kane (1941). He went to work for WGN TV immediately after graduating from high school where he started making documentaries, one of which won the Golden Gate Award at the 1962 San Francisco film festival. In 1965, he moved to Hollywood and immediately started directing TV shows, including an episode of the The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962); Hitchcock infamously chastised him for not wearing a tie.
Bio:
Friedkin's mother was an operating room nurse. His father was a merchant seaman, semi-pro softball player and ultimately sold clothes in a men's discount chain. Ultimately, his father never earned more than $50/week in his whole life and died indigent. Eventually young Will became infatuated with Orson Welles after seeing Citizen Kane (1941). He went to work for WGN TV immediately after graduating from high school where he started making documentaries, one of which won the Golden Gate Award at the 1962 San Francisco film festival. In 1965, he moved to Hollywood and immediately started directing TV shows, including an episode of the The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962); Hitchcock infamously chastised him for not wearing a tie.
Tivia:
According to writer/director Larry Cohen, composer Bernard Herrmann was approached by Friedkin to score The Exorcist (1973). After screening the movie to Herrmann, Friedkin said, "I want you to write me a better score than you wrote for Citizen Kane (1941)", to which Herrmann replied, "Then why don't you make a better movie than 'Citizen Kane'?".Often goes to extreme lengths to get the desired realism in his scenes. Infamous examples include the illegal car chase from The French Connection (1971) (which employed a stunt driver racing amidst unsuspecting drivers and pedestrians), and his effective tactics to get certain reactions from his actors in The Exorcist (1973) (discharging firearms close to the actors' ears, slapping them in the face, violently yanking them with ropes, etc.).Does not like to work with storyboards.Had once been considered by fellow filmmaker Michael Mann for the original role of Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter (1986).Was offered the chance to direct The Exorcist (1973) by producer William Peter Blatty after Blatty screened The French Connection (1971). Warner Bros. had been pressuring him to use another director but after seeing Friedkin's film, Blatty decided he wanted the film of his novel to be infused with as much energy as Friedkin had brought to The French Connection (1971).He was believed to be the youngest person to win the Best Director Oscar, at age 32. Later, he was discovered to have actually been born in 1935, and was age 36 at the time. The record returned to Norman Taurog.With the death of Mike Nichols, Friedkin is the earliest surviving Best Director Oscar winner. Everyone who won before 1972 has passed on (2018).Has cited The Babadook (2014) as the scariest movie he has ever seen.He directed five different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Jason Miller, Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair. Hackman won an Oscar for The French Connection (1971).After The Exorcist (1973), he was planning on making a film about aliens and Atlantis. However, after Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) went into production, he abandoned the film and made Sorcerer (1977) instead.The night he won his Academy Award for directing The French Connection (1971), he was riding with his manager when their Rolls-Royce broke down several miles from the ceremony. They had to hitch a ride from a driver at a gas station in order to arrive in time.He claims that he didn't become a true fan of cinema until the age of 25 when he saw Citizen Kane (1941).In 1985, he was sued for plagiarism by Michael Mann, who claimed that To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) stole the entire concept of Mann's TV series Miami Vice (1984). Mann lost the lawsuit.While on his first directing assignment for The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962), he was reprimanded by Sir Alfred Hitchcock for not wearing a tie.He was not a very good student in high school and only barely graduated.He was going to work with Peter Gabriel on a film project, but Gabriel was caught up with work with his former band Genesis on the album "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (1974). The project was called off.His music video for Laura Branigan's song "Self Control" has never been shown in its entirety on MTV. Friedkin's uncut version features a brief shot of a female breast.Joe Eszterhas, in "Hollywood Animal: A Memoir", claims that Friedkin's wife Sherry Lansing, the boss of Paramount Pictures' Motion Picture Group, made Eszterhas issue a statement that he supported Paramount's hiring of Friedkin as director for his Jade (1995) script. In truth, Eszterhas did not want the former Oscar-winner, whom he considered a washed-up has-been, to direct the picture, but he deferred to Lansing's wishes.In an interview in Linda Ruth Williams' book "The Erotic Thriller in Contemporary Cinema", Friedkin said that Jade (1995) is his favorite of all his films.Began his career in the mailroom of WGN-TV in Chicago. Within two years, he was directing live television.He was a very talented basketball player in his youth and considered pursuing that as a profession.He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 14, 1997.He has directed two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973).Attended high school with writer/director Philip Kaufman.His two most famous films, The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973), both begin in a foreign country, in which something in that country is brought over to America and then dealt with by American "authorities" in that field. The French Connection (1971) has drugs coming from France and then dealt with by American narcotics officers; The Exorcist (1973) has a demonic presence (from an idol) coming from Iraq to America, and dealt with by American priests.In 1997, it was announced that "The Ripper Diaries", a film he was scheduled to direct with Sir Anthony Hopkins starring, had been put on hold.He wanted Steve McQueen for the lead role on Sorcerer (1977), but Steve's condition was that his wife had a role, which Friedkin would not accept.Has two sons: Jackson Friedkin with Lesley-Anne Down; and Cedric Friedkin with Australian dancer Jennifer Nairn-Smith. The boys' nanny was Lala Sloatman.Profiled in "Conversations with Directors: An Anthology of Interviews from Literature/Film Quarterly", E.M. Walker, D.T. Johnson, eds. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press (2008).His son Jack was born in 1982.Filed for divorce from Lesley Anne Down in August 1985.Ex-stepfather of J��r?me Richard.Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945-1985". Pages 372-375. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company (1988). |
| Name: |
William Friedkin |
Type: |
Director,Writer,Producer (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Director,Writer,Producer |
| Products for sale: |
Director,Writer,Producer |
| Model rank: |
1117 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 04:18:59 |
| Height: |
6' (1.83 m) |
| Biography: |
Friedkin\'s mother was an operating room nurse. His father was a merchant seaman, semi-pro softball player and ultimately sold clothes in a men\'s discount chain. Ultimately, his father never earned more than $50/week in his whole life and died indig |
| Trivia: |
According to writer/director Larry Cohen, composer Bernard Herrmann was approached by Friedkin to score The Exorcist (1973). After screening the movie to Herrmann, Friedkin said, "I want you to write me a better score than you wrote for Citizen Kane (1941)", to which Herrmann replied, "Then why don't you make a better movie than 'Citizen Kane'?".Often goes to extreme lengths to get the desired realism in his scenes. Infamous examples include the illegal car chase from The French Connection (1971) (which employed a stunt driver racing amidst unsuspecting drivers and pedestrians), and his effective tactics to get certain reactions from his actors in The Exorcist (1973) (discharging firearms close to the actors' ears, slapping them in the face, violently yanking them with ropes, etc.).Does not like to work with storyboards.Had once been considered by fellow filmmaker Michael Mann for the original role of Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter (1986).Was offered the chance to direct The Exorcist (1973) by producer William Peter Blatty after Blatty screened The French Connection (1971). Warner Bros. had been pressuring him to use another director but after seeing Friedkin's film, Blatty decided he wanted the film of his novel to be infused with as much energy as Friedkin had brought to The French Connection (1971).He was believed to be the youngest person to win the Best Director Oscar, at age 32. Later, he was discovered to have actually been born in 1935, and was age 36 at the time. The record returned to Norman Taurog.With the death of Mike Nichols, Friedkin is the earliest surviving Best Director Oscar winner. Everyone who won before 1972 has passed on (2018).Has cited The Babadook (2014) as the scariest movie he has ever seen.He directed five different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Jason Miller, Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair. Hackman won an Oscar for The French Connection (1971).After The Exorcist (1973), he was planning on making a film about aliens and Atlantis. However, after Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) went into production, he abandoned the film and made Sorcerer (1977) instead.The night he won his Academy Award for directing The French Connection (1971), he was riding with his manager when their Rolls-Royce broke down several miles from the ceremony. They had to hitch a ride from a driver at a gas station in order to arrive in time.He claims that he didn't become a true fan of cinema until the age of 25 when he saw Citizen Kane (1941).In 1985, he was sued for plagiarism by Michael Mann, who claimed that To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) stole the entire concept of Mann's TV series Miami Vice (1984). Mann lost the lawsuit.While on his first directing assignment for The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962), he was reprimanded by Sir Alfred Hitchcock for not wearing a tie.He was not a very good student in high school and only barely graduated.He was going to work with Peter Gabriel on a film project, but Gabriel was caught up with work with his former band Genesis on the album "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (1974). The project was called off.His music video for Laura Branigan's song "Self Control" has never been shown in its entirety on MTV. Friedkin's uncut version features a brief shot of a female breast.Joe Eszterhas, in "Hollywood Animal: A Memoir", claims that Friedkin's wife Sherry Lansing, the boss of Paramount Pictures' Motion Picture Group, made Eszterhas issue a statement that he supported Paramount's hiring of Friedkin as director for his Jade (1995) script. In truth, Eszterhas did not want the former Oscar-winner, whom he considered a washed-up has-been, to direct the picture, but he deferred to Lansing's wishes.In an interview in Linda Ruth Williams' book "The Erotic Thriller in Contemporary Cinema", Friedkin said that Jade (1995) is his favorite of all his films.Began his career in the mailroom of WGN-TV in Chicago. Within two years, he was directing live television.He was a very talented basketball player in his youth and considered pursuing that as a profession.He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 14, 1997.He has directed two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973).Attended high school with writer/director Philip Kaufman.His two most famous films, The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973), both begin in a foreign country, in which something in that country is brought over to America and then dealt with by American "authorities" in that field. The French Connection (1971) has drugs coming from France and then dealt with by American narcotics officers; The Exorcist (1973) has a demonic presence (from an idol) coming from Iraq to America, and dealt with by American priests.In 1997, it was announced that "The Ripper Diaries", a film he was scheduled to direct with Sir Anthony Hopkins starring, had been put on hold.He wanted Steve McQueen for the lead role on Sorcerer (1977), but Steve's condition was that his wife had a role, which Friedkin would not accept.Has two sons: Jackson Friedkin with Lesley-Anne Down; and Cedric Friedkin with Australian dancer Jennifer Nairn-Smith. The boys' nanny was Lala Sloatman.Profiled in "Conversations with Directors: An Anthology of Interviews from Literature/Film Quarterly", E.M. Walker, D.T. Johnson, eds. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press (2008).His son Jack was born in 1982.Filed for divorce from Lesley Anne Down in August 1985.Ex-stepfather of J��r?me Richard.Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945-1985". Pages 372-375. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company (1988). |
| Trademarks: |
Frequently uses a hand-held camera in action sequences
[Car Chase] His films often feature a pivotal car chase (The French Connection (1971), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Jade (1995)).
Frequently works with William Petersen
Infamous for his volatile, provocative behavior on film sets |
| Quotes: |
By the time a film of mine makes it into the theaters, I have a love-hate relationship with it. There is always something I could have done to make it better.
<br />
<hr>
The French Connection (1971) was really made in the editing room. One of the easiest sequences to do was the chase scene. It was relatively easy to do because everything was worked out minutely, carefully planned and checked in advance. Of course, there were some human errors and we did wreck a couple of cars before we were through.
<br />
<hr>
[after directing The French Connection (1971)] Each picture I've done so far has been for different reasons. The Birthday Party (1968), for instance, was purely a labor of love. I wanted to do [Harold Pinter]. Others were to advance my career, to get better assignments. I have no regard for and no knowledge of the value of money, I'm not saying that's a virtue, just a fact. For me, the greatest thrill in the world, the only thrill, is getting 20 seconds on the screen that really gases you.
<br />
<hr>
I consider myself just another member of the crew, the highest paid member of the crew.
<br />
<hr>
Directing is the provenance of younger guys. When I broke into film, I had no specific genius. I was just young. That's how I did it. The studios feel that movies are all about a youth movement, and they always have. That's why Orson Welles got to make Citizen Kane (1941) at 25. It's also why Billy Wilder at the end of his career, when he was smarter, wittier and more energetic than most directors half his age, couldn't even get a meeting. |
| Job title: |
Director,Writer,Producer |
| Others works: |
(1984) Music video: Directed Laura Branigan's video "Self Control".
(1985) Music video: Directed Wang Chung's video, "To Live and Die in L.A.".
Music video: Directed Barbra Streisand's video, "Somewhere" |
| Spouse: |
Sherry Lansing (July 6, 1991 - present) Kelly Lange (June 7, 1987 - 1990) (divorced)Lesley-Anne Down (1982 - 1985) (divorced, 1 child)Jeanne Moreau (February 8, 1977 - 1979) (divorced) |
| Children: |
Jackson FriedkinCedric Nairn-Smith |
| Parents: |
Louis Friedkin
Rae Friedkin |
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