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John G. Avildsen
Director 1935 - 2017

John G. Avildsen

Oak Park, Illinois, USA

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... Read full bio →

Directed Films

Every film this person directed

14 titles
Inferno

Inferno

John G. Avildsen 1999 1h 35m 3.5

The story of adult film legend Linda Lovelace, who starred the in 1972 film "Deep Throat" and eventually became an advocate against the porn industry.

The Power of One

The Power of One

John G. Avildsen 1992 2h 7m

PK, an English orphan terrorized for his family's political beliefs in Africa, turns to his only friend, a kindly world-wise prisoner, Geel Piet. Geel teaches him how to box with the motto “fight with your fists and lead with your heart”.

Rocky V

Rocky V

John G. Avildsen 1990 1h 44m 5.5

Reluctantly retired from boxing and back from riches to rags, Rocky takes on a new protege who betrays him; As the champ's son must adjust to his family's new life after bankruptcy.

The Karate Kid, Part III

The Karate Kid, Part III

John G. Avildsen 1989 1h 52m 5.5

Kreese, his life in tatters after his karate schools was defeated by Daniel and Mr Miyagi, visits Terry, a friend from Vietnam. Terry is a ruthless business man and a martial arts expert, and he vows to help Kresse take revenge on Daniel and Mr Miyagi.

For Keeps?

For Keeps?

John G. Avildsen 1988 1h 38m

Young high school couple Darcy Elliot and Stan Bobrucz are one year from graduation, with promising futures ahead of them. But their paths take a drastic turn when Darcy becomes pregnant.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

John G. Avildsen 1987 1h 25m

Small time crooksters Nick and Charlie have an elaborate plan to rob an exclusive jewelers store. Using a variety of disguises and posing as rich old men and women they begin the set-up, but then Nick falls for the owner of a neighboring antique store and things get a little complicated.

The Karate Kid, Part II

The Karate Kid, Part II

John G. Avildsen 1986 1h 53m 6.7

Mr. Miyagi and Daniel take a trip to Okinawa to visit Mr. Miyagi's dying father. After arriving Mr. Miyagi finds he still has feelings for an old love. This stirs up trouble with an old rival who he originally left Okinawa to avoid. In the mean time, Daniel encounters a new love and also makes some enemies.

The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid

John G. Avildsen 1984 2h 7m 7.5

A handyman/martial arts master agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and shows him that there is more to the martial art than fighting.

Neighbors

Neighbors

John G. Avildsen 1981 1h 35m 3.5

One man's quiet suburban life takes a sickening lurch for the worse when a young couple move into the deserted house next door. From the word go it is obvious these are not the quiet professional types who *should* be living in such a nice street.

The Formula

The Formula

John G. Avildsen 1980 1h 57m 5.0

A detective uncovers a formula that was devised by the Nazis in WW II to make gasoline from synthetic products, thereby eliminating the necessity for oil--and oil companies. A major oil company finds out about it and tries to destroy the formula and anyone who knows about it.

Rocky

Rocky

John G. Avildsen 1976 2h 7.7

A small time boxer gets a once in a lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champ in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.

Save the Tiger

Save the Tiger

John G. Avildsen 1973 1h 40m 6.0

A businessman's professional struggles begin to conflict with his personal life over the course of two days.

Okay Bill

Okay Bill

John G. Avildsen 1971 1h 31m

The film tells the story of Bill, a young, successful stockbroker who zips off to Greenwich Village on his motorcycle when no one's looking to venture into the hippy counterculture world. His wife, Nancy, is the dream of every middle-class male. She is liberated enough to go around bra-less, enjoy sex, and be the perfect mother for their child.

Joe

Joe

John G. Avildsen 1970 1h 47m 6.0

Ad executive Bill Compton confronts and murders his daughter's drug-dealing boyfriend. Wandering into a local bar, Bill encounters a drunken, bigoted factory worker with a bloodlust, Joe Curran. When Bill confesses the murder to Joe, the two strike up an uneasy alliance, leading to a wild adventure.

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