William Friedkin, who directed the classic movies The Exorcist and The French Connection, has died aged 87.
His family has said in a statement that he died of heart failure and pneumonia.
The Oscar-winning director was seen as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation and was part of the “New Hollywood” movement in cinema in the 1970s.
Friedkin was nominated for an Oscar for his 1973 supernatural horror film The Exorcist – one of the most iconic films in the history of cinema.
He had already won a best director Oscar for his 1971 crime thriller The French Connection.
Horror author Stephen King has paid tribute to Friedkin on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing: “Very sorry to hear of the passing of William Friedkin, a deeply talented filmmaker. THE EXORCIST is great, but for me the real classic was SORCERER.”
Hollywood actor Elijah Wood wrote: “Aww man… a true cinematic master whose influence will continue to extend forever. So long, William Friedkin.”
