William Finley
ActingAbout William Finley
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. Finley graduated from Columbia University in 1963. He resided in New York City with his wife and son.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of William Finley reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 24 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Horror
The majority of William Finley's filmography leans towards the Horror genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 25% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), William Finley remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Meatcleaver Sharkfuck, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best William Finley Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Finley's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of William Finley.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | The Weird World Of Weird: Volume 2 | Woton’s Wake | Flop | Similar → |
| 2006 | The Black Dahlia | George Tilden | Average | Similar → |
| 2006 | Paradise Regained: Brian de Palma's 'Phantom of the Paradise' | Himself | Average | Similar → |
| 2006 | Sick Girl | Husband | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | The Autopsy | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 2003 | Brian De Palma : Les Années 60 | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Night Terrors | Dr. Matteson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1985 | Double Negative | Milt | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Silent Rage | Dr. Paul Vaughn | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | The Funhouse | Marco the Magnificent | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Dressed to Kill | Bobbi (voice) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Simon | Fichandler | Average | Similar → |
| 1979 | Wise Blood | Man (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | The Fury | Raymond Dunwoodie | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | Eaten Alive | Roy | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Last Hours Before Morning | Elmo | Flop | Similar → |
| 1974 | Phantom of the Paradise | Winslow Leach / The Phantom | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Sisters | Emil Breton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1970 | Dionysus in '69 | Self/Dionysus | Average | Similar → |
| N/A | Meatcleaver Sharkfuck | Robert Johnson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| N/A | Zelenka | Zelenka | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | The Wedding Party | Alistair | Flop | Similar → |
| 1968 | Murder à la Mod | Otto | Flop | Similar → |
| 1963 | Woton's Wake | Woton | Average | Similar → |
William Finley - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of William Finley?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring William Finley is "Meatcleaver Sharkfuck" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has William Finley acted in?
William Finley has been featured in at least 24 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by William Finley?
Other notable films include "Brian De Palma : Les Années 60", "Phantom of the Paradise", and "Double Negative".