What's After the Movie
John Guilbert Avildsen (December 21, 1935 – June 16, 2017) was an accomplished American film director. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, he was educated at Indian Mountain School, the Hotchkiss School, and at New York University. His career saw him starting out as an assistant director on films by Arthur Penn and Otto Preminger. He also acted as director of photography on the 1969 film, Out of It, before his 1970 low-budget feature Joe received good notices and was a success at the box office. Avildsen is best known for directing Rocky (1976), which earned him numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Director. In addition to Rocky, his directorial contributions also included the first three films of The Karate Kid franchise. Other films he directed include The Formula (1980), Neighbors (1981), and Inferno (1999).
Apart from his professional achievements, Avildsen's personal life also drew some attention. His first wife was Marie Olga Maturevich, followed by actress Tracy Brooks Swope whom he married in 1987. He had a total of four children including Jonathan Avildsen who appeared in The Karate Kid Part III and Rocky V. The cause of Avildsen's unfortunate death in 2017 was pancreatic cancer, as revealed by his son Anthony Avildsen. Avildsen's legacy is preserved in a documentary on his life and films, John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs, that was released posthumously in August 2017.
Learn more about John G. Avildsen, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how John G. Avildsen rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: John Guilbert Avildsen
Born: Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: December 21, 1935
Occupations: Film director
Years Active: 1969-2017
Children: 4
Spouses: Marie Olga Maturevich, Tracy Brooks Swope
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Explore the awards, honors, and nominations John G. Avildsen has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.
Rocky
Rocky V
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid Part II
The Karate Kid Part III
Lean on Me
The Power of One
Neighbors
For Keeps?
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
The Real Miyagi
The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance
John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs
Saturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie
The Way of The Karate Kid
Make Your Own Damn Movie!
Traveling Hopefully
The Formula
A Night in Heaven
Happy New Year
40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic
Guess What We Learned in School Today?
W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings
The Stoolie
The Troma System
Save the Tiger
Cry Uncle!
8 Seconds
Joe
Smiles
Greenwich Village Story
Slow Dancing In The Big City
Inferno
Track the complete movie timeline of John G. Avildsen, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
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