Biography
William Friedkin — director (exorcist) with roots in the Russian Empire
William Friedkin was an American film director who won the Academy Award for Best Director for The French Connection (1971) and directed The Exorcist (1973) — one of the most profitable and discussed horror films in cinema history. He was one of the central figures of the 1970s New Hollywood.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Jewish
His grandfather had emigrated from Russia (Russian Empire) — part of the Jewish emigration to America. Growing up in Chicago in a Jewish immigrant family, Friedkin absorbed the tradition and applied it to making American cinema's most socially charged films of the 1970s.
Family Tree
Subject
William Friedkin🇺🇸 USA
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Parents
Ukraine (Jewish)
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Origin
Jewish🇷🇺
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Academy Award for Best Director — The French Connection (1971)
02
The Exorcist (1973) — one of the most profitable horror films in history
03
The French Connection — Academy Award for Best Picture
04
Sorcerer (1977), Cruising (1980), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
05
Central figure of 1970s New Hollywood
Sources