William Friedkin (born August 29, 1935) is an American film director, producer and screenwriter best known for directing
The French Connection in 1971 and
The Exorcist in 1973; for the former, he won the
Academy Award for Best Director. Some of his other films include
Sorcerer,
Cruising,
To Live and Die in L.A.,
Jade,
Rules of Engagement,
The Hunted,
Bug, and
Killer Joe.