William Friedkin, the Oscar winning director of two gripping film classics, “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist,” has died. He was 87. A representative from his office said he died Monday in Los Angeles. Friedkin was in his early 30s when he won the best director Oscar for “The French Connection.” Other film credits included “To Live and Die in L.A.,” “Cruising,” “The Brink’s Job,” “Rules of Engagement,” “The Hunted” and a TV remake of the classic Sidney Lumet movie “12 Angry Men.” Friedkin also directed episodes for such TV shows as “The Twilight Zone,” “Rebel Highway” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
LOS ANGELES: William Friedkin, the generation-defining director who brought a visceral realism to 1970s hits The French Connection and The Exorcist and was quickly anointed one of Hollywood s top directors when he was only in his 30s, has died. He was 87.