John G. Avildsen
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- December 21, 1935
- Died
- June 16, 2017
- Birthplace
- 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 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.
Filmography
- A Fine and Private Place
A Fine and Private Place TBA
Director
May Day x 4 2026
Cinematography
Ammo for Shooting Clouds: John G. Avildsen Before Rocky 2022
as Himself
40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic 2020
as Self (archive footage)
Saturday Night Fever: The Ultimate Disco Movie 2017
as Self (archive footage)
Frank Serpico 2017
as Self (archive footage)
American Satan 2017
as Talk Show Host, Executive Producer
John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs 2017
as Self
The Real Miyagi 2015
as Self
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films 2014
as Self - Director
The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance 2011
as Self
In the Ring: The Making of Rocky 2006
Actor
- Tribute To James Crabe
Tribute To James Crabe 2006
as Himself
- Make Your Own Damn Movie!
Make Your Own Damn Movie! 2005
as Himself
- The Way of The Karate Kid
The Way of The Karate Kid 2005
as Self - Director / Academy Award Winner
Magic Time: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon 2002
as Self
Inferno 1999
Director
Sports on the Silver Screen 1997
as Self (archive footage)
8 Seconds 1994
Director
The Troma System 1993
as Self
The Power of One 1992
Editor, Director
Rocky V 1990
Editor, Director
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
Editor, Director
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
Director, Editor, Producer, Camera Operator
Rocky 1976
Director
W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings 1975
Director
Fore Play 1975
Director
Save the Tiger 1973
Director
- The Stoolie
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, Director, Editor
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
as Alvie
Credits from TMDB.