Rest In Peace, Academy Award Winner John G. Avildsen: (1935-2017)

June 16, 2017 / Leave a Comment

JOHN G. AVILDSEN
December 21, 1935 – June 16, 2017 (age 81)
Cause of Death: Pancreatic cancer

The name John G. Avildsen may not ring a bell immediately, but he is the man behind directing the original Rocky film, which eventually brought him to his first and only Oscar win. He would later go on to direct the fifth Rocky installment as well. He is also responsible for bringing to your childhood The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid: Part II, and The Karate Kid: Part III, so you are welcome. He had quite the career, mostly in film, with only one television pilot under his belt. He would also edit a lot of his own work. But his greatest achievement in film would always be that win for Rocky.

JOHN G. AVILDSEN’S DIRECTING FILMOGRAPHY

1965	Light Sound Diffused	Documentary short – also Editor / Producer / Cinematographer
1969	Turn On To Love	also Editor / Cinematographer
1970	Guess What We Learned in School Today?	also Editor / Cinematographer
1970	Joe	also Cinematographer
1971	Cry Uncle!	also Editor / Director Of Photography
1972	Okay Bill	also Writer
1973	Save The Tiger
1974	The Stoolie	Co-Director – also Cinematographer
1975	Fore Play
1975	W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings
1976	Rocky	1977 Academy Award for Best Directing
1978	Slow Dancing in the Big City	also Editor / Producer
1980	The Formula
1981	Neighbors
1982	Traveling Hopefully	Documentary
1983	A Night In Heaven	also Editor
1984	The Karate Kid	also Editor
1986	The Karate Kid: Part II	also Editor
1987	Happy New Year
1988	For Keeps?	also Editor
1989	Lean On Me	also Editor / Executive Producer
1989	The Karate Kid: Part III	also Editor
1990	Rocky V	also Editor
1992	The Power Of One	also Editor
1994	8 Seconds
1999	Inferno	as Danny Mulroon, director’s cut
2014	Let Love Last	Short