William Friedkin may be best known for his film The Exorcist, one of the most terrifying films of all time. It received ten Academy Award nominations including Best Director and Best Picture. One of the most powerful film directors of the 1970s, Friedkin was representative of Hollywood's first wave of hip, hot, young super-directors. Famed for his boisterous talent, Friedkin earned a reputation for drawing out brilliant performances from his actors. Just five years after making his feature film debut, Friedkin snagged the Best Director Oscar for The French Connection.