John G. Avildsen

John G. Avildsen

1935-12-21

Biography

John Guilbert Avildsen (December 21, 1935 – June 16, 2017) was an American film director. He won the Academy Award for Best Director in 1977 for Rocky. Other films he directed include Joe, Save the Tiger, Fore Play, The Formula, Neighbors, For Keeps, Lean on Me, The Power of One, 8 Seconds, Inferno, Rocky V and the first three The Karate Kid films. Avildsen was born in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Ivy (née Guilbert) and Clarence John Avildsen. He was educated at The Hotchkiss School and New York University. After starting out as an assistant director on films by Arthur Penn and Otto Preminger, John Avildsen received his first success with the low budget feature Joe (1970) which received critical acclaim for star Peter Boyle and moderate box office business. This was followed by another critical success, Save the Tiger (1973), that was nominated for three Oscars, winning Best Actor for star Jack Lemmon. Avildsen's greatest success was Rocky (1976), garnering ten Academy Award nominations and winning three, including Best Picture and Best Director. He later directed what was expected to be the series' final installment, Rocky V (1990). His other films include Cry Uncle! (1971), Neighbors (1981), The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid Part II (1986), The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Lean on Me (1989) and 8 Seconds (1994). Avildsen was the original director for both Serpico (1973) and Saturday Night Fever (1977), but was fired over disputes with producers Martin Bregman and Robert Stigwood, respectively.

Also appears in

American Satan

American Satan

7.2

Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films

Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films

7.2

The Way of The Karate Kid

The Way of The Karate Kid

Not yet rated

40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic

40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic

7.7

The Real Miyagi

The Real Miyagi

6.5

Frank Serpico

Frank Serpico

6.2

John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs

John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs

6.8

The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance

The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance

6.2

Sports on the Silver Screen

Sports on the Silver Screen

10.0

Saturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie

Saturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie

7.7

Magic Time: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon

Magic Time: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon

Not yet rated

Greenwich Village Story

Greenwich Village Story

6.0

The Troma System

The Troma System

Not yet rated

Make Your Own Damn Movie!

Make Your Own Damn Movie!

3.5

Tribute To James Crabe

Tribute To James Crabe

Not yet rated

Ammo for Shooting Clouds: John G. Avildsen Before Rocky

Ammo for Shooting Clouds: John G. Avildsen Before Rocky

Not yet rated