From iconic directors and legendary actors, to big corporations and famous name brands, it seems everyone in Hollywood has something incredible to say about William Friedkin. The legendary, Oscar-winning filmmaker behind The Exorcist, The French Connection, Sorcerer, and so many others passed away at 87 this week in Los Angeles, and the filmmaking community used the occasion to look back on an incredible life and career.
Below, you’ll see reactions from fellow directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Guillermo del Toro, Edgar Wright, Matt Reeves, Joe Dante, and Eli Roth just to name a few. The New York subway system paid tribute. Some of the writers behind The Simpsons shared some stories. The reactions to Friedkin’s death were all, of course, sad—but also very representative of the diverse, impactful career he had.
Aww man…a true cinematic master whose influence will continue to extend forever. So long, William Friedkin pic.twitter.com/sXppoS0FVK
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) August 7, 2023
RIP William Friedkin, one of our very first guests on our podcast, The Movies That Made Me. pic.twitter.com/W3WT2LekDc
— Joe Dante (@joe_dante) August 7, 2023
RIP William Friedkin. Ballsy director. Made some of the greatest movies ever. One of the best conversations I’ve had on the show. https://t.co/529RvAAMI7
— marc maron (@marcmaron) August 7, 2023
Thread: Very sad to learn that Bill Friedkin, one of the finest directors of the 1970s American film insurgency is no longer with us. He was a master. And while others are better equipped to assess his life and legacy, I have a small, personal anecdote to contribute. It will…
— David Simon (@AoDespair) August 7, 2023
Unstoppable, unrepentant, untouchable. William Friedkin was an absolute giant of cinema and one of the greatest to ever step foot on a set. We have lost a legend but his legacy will live forever. Thank you for everything.
Rest easy, Billy. pic.twitter.com/qkRqa5rx4f— Beyond Fest (@BeyondFest) August 7, 2023
RIP William Friedkin
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) August 7, 2023
William Friedkin made some enormously influential films that certainly had an impact on me. RIP pic.twitter.com/HpJg8G1ItK
— Don Coscarelli (@DonCoscarelli) August 7, 2023
So many great films, he loved movies and making them. May he RIP. https://t.co/AGH5pq0kor
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) August 7, 2023
I’m so saddened about the passing of William Friedken. He was an incredible inspiration and influence on my career. He was always incredibly positive about the industry and generous with his mentorship to other filmmakers.
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) August 7, 2023
A hurricane.
Rest in Power, William Friedkin (1935 – 2023) pic.twitter.com/0JNC7sUipE— Alamo Drafthouse (@alamodrafthouse) August 7, 2023
It was an honor to have numerous lengthy chats via Twitter with William Friedkin. He also sent word through his wife to one of my producers that he watched & loved The Black Phone— a gesture I will always treasure. The Exorcist and Sorcerer are 2 of the greatest films ever made. pic.twitter.com/hGEbfpaJnA
— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) August 7, 2023
We say goodbye to Oscar-winning director William Friedkin, whose rich filmography from THE FRENCH CONNECTION to THE EXORCIST continues to inspire creatives today. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. @THR remembers him here: https://t.co/bOOIuHZGoH pic.twitter.com/3hk9hUXXqZ
— TCM (@tcm) August 7, 2023
When working on the Mr. Plow show, we heard that William Friedkin was a fan of @TheSimpsons. So we put in a parody of his film SORCERER just for him. Years later he visited the show, charmed everyone, and even wound up as a guest star. RIP a great guy. pic.twitter.com/fTH8etohEy
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReissWriter) August 7, 2023
Rest in peace to William Friedkin, an absolute titan of not only our particular genre, but of cinema itself. Well done, sir. pic.twitter.com/QNhaR3Lbnx
— FANGORIA (@FANGORIA) August 7, 2023
Rest in peace, William Friedkin.
Looking back at one (of several!) iconic subway moments from The French Connection 🎥 https://t.co/rFgZ10SSn5 pic.twitter.com/3hB30hTPif
— MTA (@MTA) August 7, 2023
.@TheSimpsons William Friedkin was one of my all time cinema heroes and he was an absolute pleasure to work with. A genius and an icon. pic.twitter.com/ezQKkw8K7C
— Al Jean (@AlJean) August 7, 2023
My king. https://t.co/I3AbfTeclA#WilliamFriedkin #FilmTwitter #RIPWilliamFriedkin #OliverStone #Bluray #DVD #PhysicalMedia pic.twitter.com/Jet4v1uvPA
— Dawn of The Discs (@dawnofthediscs) August 7, 2023
A sad day for cinema lovers with the tragic loss of #WilliamFriedkin who challenged the status quo time and again, winning #BestDirector #AcademyAward for #TheFrenchConnection. My deepest condolences to #SherryLansing & his family. He loved them as deeply as he loved movies. pic.twitter.com/DSie4D3kwU
— Gale Anne Hurd (@GunnerGale) August 7, 2023
What a towering artist… I was so deeply affected by his incredible work, on screen, and in opera too… His staging of Puccini's "Suor Angelica" was one of the most moving things I have ever seen. A legend. My heart goes out to Sherry and his sons. RIP William Friedkin pic.twitter.com/WdLCfhtW1R
— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) August 7, 2023
A master of cinema is gone. His legacy will last for eternity. Thank you Mr. Friedkin. 🙏#RIPWilliamFriedkin https://t.co/q30J19fzvk
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) August 7, 2023
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.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 7, 2023
The world has lost one of the Gods of Cinema. Cinema has lost a true Scholar and I have lost a dear, loyal and true friend. William Friedkin has left us. We were blessed to have him. pic.twitter.com/6Mi0EL1gla
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) August 7, 2023
For more on Friedkin’s passing, read our obituary here.
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