William Friedkin, director of “The Exorcist” and “Contact in France”, died at the age of 87

the american manager William Friedkin, recognized for his work in “The Exorcist” and the Oscar-winning “Contact in France”, died this Monday, August 7 at the age of 87 in Los Angeles, United States. The news was confirmed by his wife Sherry Lansing.

According to a Hollywood Reporter publication, the wife and former CEO of Paramount Studios, Sherry Lansing, the filmmaker died in Los Angeles. So far, the causes of his death are unknown.

As is known, Friedkin was born on August 29, 1935 in Chicago. He began his career in television and from the beginning he showed great closeness to the horror genre, directing some episodes of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” in the 60s.

Although his highest moment in the horror genre was with “The Exorcist” (1973), William Friedkin had already been recognized with the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director thanks to “Contact in France” (1971).

Throughout his career, Friedkin directed great Hollywood actors such as Robert Shaw, Jack Lemmon, Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Tommy Lee Jones, Benicio del Toro, Matthew McConaughey and Kiefer Sutherland.

It should be noted that with Kiefer Sutherland he shot what will already be his posthumous film, “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”, which will premiere at the next Venice Film Festival, where he could receive posthumous recognition.