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William Finley

Actor

William Finley

Born September 20, 1942 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USADied April 14, 201220 films

William Finley (September 20, 1940 – April 14, 2012) was an American actor who has appeared in the films Simon, Silent Rage, Phantom of the Paradise, Sisters, and The Wedding Party. He had a long-running friendship and collaboration with director Brian De Palma, beginning with the student films Woton's Wake (1962) and Murder à la Mod (1968). Most recently, he contributed a small but effective cameo in De Palma's 2006 release The Black Dahlia. Under the name W. Franklin Finley, he wrote the screenplay for the 1983 film The First Time. He was also the co-author of the 1985 book Racewalking.

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Finley graduated from Columbia University in 1963. He resided in New York City with his wife and son.

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The best way into William Finley's work
Phantom of the Paradise posterFirst watchPhantom of the Paradise19747.5as Winslow Leach / The PhantomSinger-songwriter Winslow Leach seeks revenge on the nefarious music producer Swan, who steals both Winslow's music and his favorite singer for the grand opening of Swan's new rock palace,…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

20 films as actor
  1. TBAZelenkaZelenka
  2. TBAMeatcleaver SharkfuckRobert Johnson
  3. 2011The Weird World Of Weird: Volume 2Woton’s Wake
  4. 2006The Black DahliaGeorge Tilden
  5. 2006Sick GirlHusband
  6. 1993Night TerrorsDr. Matteson
  7. 1985Double NegativeMilt
  8. 1982Silent RageDr. Paul Vaughn
  9. 1981The FunhouseMarco the Magnificent
  10. 1980Dressed to KillBobbi (voice) (uncredited)
  11. 1980SimonFichandler
  12. 1979Wise BloodMan (uncredited)
  13. 1978The FuryRaymond Dunwoodie
  14. 1976Eaten AliveRoy
  15. 1975Last Hours Before MorningElmo
  16. 1974Phantom of the ParadiseWinslow Leach / The Phantom
  17. 1973SistersEmil Breton
  18. 1969The Wedding PartyAlistair
  19. 1968Murder à la ModOtto
  20. 1963Woton's WakeWoton