John G. Avildsen

Personal Info

Birthday

December 21, 1935

Day of Death

2017-06-16

(81 years old)

Place of Birth

Oak Park, Illinois, USA

John G. Avildsen

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.

Known For

American Satan

Greenwich Village Story

Filmography

2022
Ammo for Shooting Clouds: John G. Avildsen Before Rocky
as Himself
2020
40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic
as Self (archive footage)
2017
Saturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie
as Self (archive footage)
Frank Serpico
as Self (archive footage)
American Satan
as Talk Show Host
John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs
as Self
2015
The Real Miyagi
as Self
2014
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
as Self - Director
2011
The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance
as Self
2006
Tribute To James Crabe
as Himself
2005
Make Your Own Damn Movie!
as Himself
The Way of The Karate Kid
as Self - Director / Academy Award Winner
2002
Magic Time: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon
as Self
1997
Sports on the Silver Screen
as Self (archive footage)
1993
The Troma System
as Himself
1963
Greenwich Village Story
as Alvie