Oscar-winning director William Friedkin dies aged 87

Friedkin died on Monday in Los Angeles

Director William Friedkin won the best director Oscar for The French Connection (Joel Ryan/AP)

William Friedkin, the Oscar-winning director behind The French Connection and The Exorcist has died at the age of 87.

Friedkin, who won the best director Academy Award for The French Connection, died on Monday in Los Angeles, Sherry Lansing, his wife, producer and former studio head, told The Hollywood Reporter.