John G. Avildsen was an American film director and producer, best known for his work on the iconic sports drama film, Rocky, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1977. He also directed the popular film The Karate Kid, released in 1984, which became a cultural phenomenon and spawned several sequels. Avildsen was born on December 21, 1935, in Oak Park, Illinois. Throughout his career, he directed a variety of films across different genres, earning a reputation for his ability to tell compelling stories about underdogs and personal triumphs. He passed away on June 16, 2021.