Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, actor Elijah Wood and author Stephen King lead tributes pouring in for American filmmaker William Friedkin, who passed away on Tuesday early morning in Los Angeles at the age of 87.
Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola, who helmed classics like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, issued a statement about his “first friend among filmmakers” on Instagram. “I grieve for the loss of a much-loved companion. His accomplishments in Cinema are extraordinary and unique. He is the only colleague I knew whose work actually saved a man’s life (THE PEOPLE VS PAUL CRUMP).”
Coppola also wrote about Friedkin’s legacy in Hollywood. “His lovable, irascible personality was cover for a beautiful, brilliant, deep-feeling giant of a man. It’s very hard to grasp that I will never enjoy his company again, but his work will at least stand in for him.”
American author Stephen King, whose books have been adapted into some of Hollywood’s greatest hits, also mourned the death of the filmmaker. “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,” he wrote on Twitter.
The Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood called Friedkin “a true cinematic master whose influence will continue to extend forever”.
Known for directing movies like Exorcist (1973) and The French Connection (1971), Friedkin’s other notable films includeThe Boys in the Band (1970), Sorcerer (1977), The Brink’s Job (1978), Cruising (1980), To Live and Die in L.A. (1985), Bug (2006) and Killer Joe (2011).
Acclaimed horror film director Eli Roth of Hostel and Cabin Fever also paid tribute to Friedkin’s life and works. “RIP to the legend William Friedkin.“One of the most impactful directors of all time and certainly set the course of my life in a different direction with The Exorcist. He was so incredibly nice and supportive the few times I was lucky enough to meet him. Watch Sorcerer if you’ve never seen it. He was one of a kind. Legend,” he wrote on social media.
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro took to Twitter to pay his respect to the deceased director. “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,” he wrote on the microblogging site.
Scott Derrickson, the director of The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister, also recalled his chats with Friedkin. “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.”
