William Friedkin, director of ‘The Exorcist’ and 'The French Connection' passes away at 87

livemint.com:

AFP about his demise on Monday. Friedkin had been residing in Los Angeles and had been facing various undisclosed health challenges in the past few years, according to Stephen Galloway, a former executive editor at the Hollywood Reporter. "He died this morning," confirmed Galloway, after speaking with Friedkin's wife.

The director had "been working until a few weeks ago," but "had been in declining health," he added. AFP reported that director Guillermo del Toro took the forefront in honouring William Friedkin, by hailing him as "one of the Gods of Cinema." "Cinema has lost a true Scholar and I have lost a dear, loyal and true friend," he wrote on social media. Fellow horror director Eli Roth posted a tribute on Instagram to "one of the most impactful directors of all time" who "set the course of my life in a different direction." Actor Elijah Wood described Friedkin as "a true cinematic master whose influence will continue to extend forever." Friedkin belonged to a notable group of emerging directors during the 1970s known as the "New Hollywood" cohort.

This collective played a pivotal role in fundamentally transforming the landscape of the American film industry. Their influence disrupted the longstanding dominance of influential studio producers within the industry. In the company of other visionary filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese, Friedkin burst onto the Hollywood stage in 1971 with his raw and intense police drama "The French Connection." It secured five Oscars, notably for best director and best picture, a remarkable feat for "The French Connection" in 1971.