William Finley (actor)

William Franklin Finley (September 20, 1940 – April 14, 2012) was an American actor who appeared in the films Simon, Silent Rage, Phantom of the Paradise, Sisters and The Wedding Party.[1][2]

William Finley
Born(1940-09-20)September 20, 1940
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 14, 2012(2012-04-14) (aged 71)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma materColumbia University
OccupationActor
Years active1962–2002
Spouse
Susan Weiser
​
(m. 1975)​
Children1

Finley had a long-running friendship and collaboration with director Brian De Palma, beginning with the student films Woton's Wake (1962),[1] The Wedding Party (1966) and Murder à la Mod (1968). He also had roles in three films by Tobe Hooper: Eaten Alive, The Funhouse and Night Terrors. Under the name W. Franklin Finley, he wrote the screenplay for the film The First Time (1983). He was also the co-author of the book Racewalking (1985).

Personal life

Finley graduated from Columbia University in 1963.[1] He married Susan Weiser in 1975; the couple had one son, Dashiell. The family resided in New York City.[3]

Death

Finley was diagnosed with an inflamed colon on April 6, 2012. He underwent surgery three days after his admission. He appeared to be doing well after the surgery, but on the morning of April 14, 2012, Finley died aged 71 in New York City.[1][lower-alpha 1]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1962 Woton's Wake Woton short
1968 Murder à la Mod Otto
1969 The Wedding Party Alistair filmed in 1963
1970 Dionysus in '69 Dionysus
1973 Sisters Dr. Emil Breton credited as Bill Finley
1974 Phantom of the Paradise Winslow Leach / The Phantom
1976 Obsession
1977 Eaten Alive Roy
1978 The Fury Raymond Dunwoodie
1979 Wise Blood Man uncredited
1980 Simon Fichandler
1980 Dressed to Kill Bobbi voice, uncredited
1981 The Funhouse Marco the Magnificent
1982 Silent Rage Dr. Paul Vaughn
1984 Terror in the Aisles The Phantom archive footage
1985 Double Negative Milt short, credited as Bill Finley
1993 Night Terrors Dr. Matteson
2006 The Black Dahlia George Tilden credited as Bill Finley, final film role

Notes
  1. Some obituaries gave his age as 69.

References
  1. Slotnik, Daniel E. (April 17, 2012). "William Finley, Actor in De Palma Movies, Dies at 71". The New York Times.
  2. Lyttelton, Oliver (16 April 2012). "In Memory Of William Finley (1942-2012), 5 Things You Might Not Know About 'Phantom Of The Paradise'". IndieWire.
  3. "Actor William Finley dies at 69". Variety. 17 April 2012.
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