William Friedkin ( born August 29 , 1935 ) is an American film director , producer and screenwriter best known for directing `` The French Connection '' in 1971 and `` The Exorcist '' in 1973 ; for the former , he won the Academy Award for Best Director .
William Friedkin ( born August 29 , 1935 ) is an American movie director , producer and screenwriter . He was best known for directing `` The French Connection '' in 1971 and `` The Exorcist '' in 1973 .