- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- December 21, 1935
- Place of Birth
- Oak Park, Illinois, USA
- Died
- June 16, 2017
John G. Avildsen
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 f…
Filmography
movieAmmo for Shooting Clouds: John G. Avildsen Before Rocky
2022 · Himself
movie40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic
2020 · Self (archive footage)
movieSaturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie
2017 · Self (archive footage)
movieFrank Serpico
2017 · Self (archive footage)
movieAmerican Satan
2017 · Talk Show Host, Executive Producer
movieJohn G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs
2017 · Self
movieThe Real Miyagi
2015 · Self
movieElectric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
2014 · Self - Director
movieThe Rocky Saga: Going the Distance
2011 · Self
Tribute To James Crabe
2006 · Himself
Make Your Own Damn Movie!
2005 · Himself
The Way of The Karate Kid
2005 · Self - Director / Academy Award Winner
movieMagic Time: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon
2002 · Self
movieInferno
1999 · Director
movieSports on the Silver Screen
1997 · Self (archive footage)
movie8 Seconds
1994 · Director
movieThe Troma System
1993 · Self
movieThe Power of One
1992 · Editor, Director
movieRocky V
1990 · Editor, Director
movieRocky Special: Burning Youth
1990 · Director
movieThe Karate Kid Part III
1989 · Director, Editor
movieLean On Me
1989 · Director, Executive Producer, Editor
movieFor Keeps
1988 · Director, Editor
movieHappy New Year
1987 · Director
movieThe Karate Kid Part II
1986 · Editor, Director
movieThe Karate Kid
1984 · Editor, Director
movieA Night in Heaven
1983 · Director, Editor
movieTraveling Hopefully
1982 · Director, Producer, Cinematography
movieNeighbors
1981 · Director
movieThe Formula
1980 · Director
movieSlow Dancing In The Big City
1978 · Director, Editor, Producer, Camera Operator
movieRocky
1976 · Director
movieW.W. and the Dixie Dancekings
1975 · Director
movieFore Play
1975 · Director
movieSave the Tiger
1973 · Director
The Stoolie
1972 · Cinematography, Director
movieOkay Bill
1971 · Writer, Editor, Director, Cinematography
movieCry Uncle!
1971 · Director, Director of Photography, Additional Dialogue, Editor
movieGuess What We Learned in School Today?
1971 · Story, Director of Photography, Editor
movieJoe
1970 · Director of Photography
movieTurn On to Love
1969 · Director
movieOut of It
1969 · Associate Producer, Director of Photography
movieHurry Sundown
1967 · Assistant Director
movieMickey One
1965 · Executive Producer
movieSmiles
1964 · Producer, Director
movieGreenwich Village Story
1963 · Alvie
tvThe Oscars
1953 · Self
A Fine and Private Place
— · Director