John G. Avildsen

John G. Avildsen
Avildsen in 1975
Born
John Guilbert Avildsen

(1935-12-21)December 21, 1935
DiedJune 16, 2017(2017-06-16) (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesJohnny Avildsen
OccupationFilm director
Years active1969–2017
Spouses
  • Marie Olga Maturevich (Melissa McCall)
Tracy Brooks Swope
(m. 1987; sep. 2006)
Children6
Signature

John Guilbert Avildsen (December 21, 1935 – June 16, 2017) was an American film director.

He is best known for directing Rocky (1976), which earned him the Academy Award for Best Director. He is also renowned for directing the first three films in The Karate Kid franchise (1984–1989). Other films he directed include Joe (1970), Save the Tiger (1973), The Formula (1980), Neighbors (1981), Lean on Me (1989), Rocky V (1990), 8 Seconds (1994), and Inferno (1999).