John G. Avildsen

Regisseur, Redacteur, Producer, Acteur, Schrijver

21 december 1935 — 16 juni 2017 (81 years)
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.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • Joe
    Joe1970
  • The Margarita Man
    The Margarita Man2019

Known For

  • Rocky
    Rocky1976
  • The Karate Kid
    The Karate Kid1984
  • Rocky V
    Rocky V1990
  • The Karate Kid II
    The Karate Kid II1986
  • The Karate Kid III
    The Karate Kid III1989
  • Lean on Me
    Lean on Me1989
  • Inferno
    Inferno1999
  • The Power of One
    The Power of One1992
  • Neighbors
    Neighbors1981
  • 8 Seconds
    8 Seconds1994
  • Save the Tiger
    Save the Tiger1973
  • For Keeps?
    For Keeps?1988
  • The Formula
    The Formula1980
  • Joe
    Joe1970
  • A Night in Heaven
    A Night in Heaven1983
  • American Satan
    American Satan2017
  • W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings
    W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings1975
  • Mickey One
    Mickey One1965
  • Happy New Year
    Happy New Year1987
  • Cry Uncle
    Cry Uncle1971

Cinematografie

2019
The Margarita Man · as Executive ProducerOp Plex
2017
American Satan · as Executive Producer
1989
Lean on Me · as Executive Producer
1982
1978
1969
Out of It · as Associate Producer
1965
Mickey One · as Executive Producer

2021
2020
Belushi · as Self
2020
40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic · as Self (archive Footage)
2018
The Oscars · as Self - Director (in Memoriam)
2017
2017
Frank Serpico · as Self (archive Footage)
2017
2015
The Real Miyagi · as Self
2014
2012
Too Young To Die · as Self
2011
2008
Mr. Firth Goes to Washington · as Self - Interviewee
2006
In the Ring · as Self
2005
2005
The Way of the Karate Kid · as Self - Director / Academy Award Winner
2003
1997
Behind the Music · as Self
1997
Sports on the Silver Screen · as Self (archive Footage)
1993
The Troma System · as Self
1987
Biography · as Self
1977
The 49th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner
1953

2017
2017
American Satan · as Talk Show Host

1982
Traveling Hopefully · as Cinematographer
1972
The Stoolie · as Cinematographer
1971
Okay Bill · as Cinematographer
1971
Cry Uncle · as Director Of Photography
1971
Cry Uncle · as Additional Dialogue
1970
Guess What We Learned in School Today? · as Director Of Photography
1970
1970
Joe · as Director Of PhotographyOp Plex
1969
Out of It · as Director Of Photography
1967
Hurry Sundown · as Assistant Director