John Guilbert Avildsen (born December 21, 1935) is 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 Karate Kid movies.
Underdog films complete with realistic character development and montage sequences
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Quote
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My dream was to have my own advertising agency by the time I was 30, and that was before I got into movies.
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I thought boxing was stupid.
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When I read 'Rocky V,' it was a terrific story, a great script. Rocky died at the end. He has this devastating fight with Tommy Gunn, ends up in an ambulance with his head in Adrian's lap, and by the time they get to the hospital, he's dead.
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Fact
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Lives in Beverly Hills, California
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His first wife also acted under the name 'Melissa McCall'.
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Father of actors Jonathan Avildsen and Anthony G. Avildsen, both of whom have appeared in several of his movies and also worked for him as production assistants.
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Declined to direct Rocky II (1979).
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Was going to direct Serpico (1973), but was replaced just before filming due to differences with the producer.
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Directed seven actors to Oscar nominations: Jack Lemmon, Jack Gilford, Burgess Meredith, Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Pat Morita and Burt Young. Lemmon won Best Actor prizes for Save the Tiger (1973).
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His son Ashley Avildsen is the creator and owner of the metal label Sumerian Records. He has no relationship with his son nor has he ever attempted to make contact.
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Ex-son-in-law of Herbert B. Swope Jr. and Margaret Hayes.
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He was the original director of Saturday Night Fever (1977) but pulled out. He was replaced by John Badham.
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Has a daughter named Bridget Avildsen (b. 2 October 1993) with his ex-wife, Tracy Brooks Swope.