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.
William Finley Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of William Finley reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 24 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of William Finley's work falls within the Horror genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 29% of William Finley's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Autopsy, which stands out as a key performance.
Best William Finley Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Finley's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie William Finley has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| 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 | Super Hit | 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 "The Autopsy" 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 "Meatcleaver Sharkfuck", "Brian De Palma : Les Années 60", and "Phantom of the Paradise".