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 for star Jack Lemmon. Avildsen's greatest success was Rocky (1976), garnering ten Academy Award nominations and winning three, including Best Picture and Best Director. He later directed what was expected to be the series' final installment, Rocky V (1990). His other films include Cry Uncle! (1971), Neighbors (1981), The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid Part II (1986), The Karate Kid Part III (1989), Lean on Me (1989) and 8 Seconds (1994).
Avildsen was the original director for both Serpico (1973) and Saturday Night Fever (1977), but was fired over disputes with producers Martin Bregman and Robert Stigwood, respectively.
Photos
Films (48)
May Day x 4
2026 · Cinematography
Ammo for Shooting Clouds: John G. Avildsen Before Rocky
2022 · Himself
Rocky, la naissance d'un classique
2020 · Self (archive footage)
Saturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie
2017 · Self (archive footage)
Frank Serpico
2017 · Self (archive footage)
American Satan
2017 · Talk Show Host, Executive Producer
John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs
2017 · Self
The Real Miyagi
2015 · Self
Electric Boogaloo
2014 · Self - Director
The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance
2011 · Self
In the Ring: The Making of Rocky
2006
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
Magic Time: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon
2002 · Self
Inferno
1999 · Director
Sports on the Silver Screen
1997 · Self (archive footage)
8 Seconds
1994 · Director
The Troma System
1993 · Self
The Power of One
1992 · Director, Editor
Rocky V
1990 · Director, Editor
The Karate Kid Part III
1989 · Director, Editor
Lean On Me
1989 · Director, Executive Producer, Editor
For Keeps
1988 · Director, Editor
Happy New Year
1987 · Director
The Karate Kid Part II
1986 · Director, Editor
The Karate Kid
1984 · Editor, Director
A Night in Heaven
1983 · Director, Editor
Traveling Hopefully
1982 · Director, Producer, Cinematography
Neighbors
1981 · Director
The Formula
1980 · Director
Slow Dancing In The Big City
1978 · Producer, Editor, Director, Camera Operator
Rocky
1976 · Director
W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings
1975 · Director
Fore Play
1975 · Director
Save the Tiger
1973 · Director
The Stoolie
1972 · Cinematography, Director
Okay Bill
1971 · Writer, Editor, Director, Cinematography
Cry Uncle!
1971 · Director, Director of Photography, Additional Dialogue, Editor
Guess What We Learned in School Today?
1971 · Story, Director of Photography, Editor, Director
Joe
1970 · Director of Photography, Director
Turn On to Love
1969 · Director
Out of It
1969 · Associate Producer, Director of Photography
Hurry Sundown
1967 · Assistant Director
Mickey One
1965 · Executive Producer
Smiles
1964 · Producer, Director
Greenwich Village Story
1963 · Alvie
A Fine and Private Place
· Director
