(RNN) - John G. Avildsen, the Academy Award-winning director of Rocky, who later directed the first three The Karate Kid films, died Friday. He was 81.
His eldest son, Anthony, told the Los Angeles Times his father died of pancreatic cancer.
Rocky (1976), starring Sylvester Stallone, won three Academy Awards: best picture, best director and best film editing. He and Stallone worked together again in Rocky V (1990).
In The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid Part II and The Karate Kid Part III, Avildsen directed Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita.
Avildsen received his first directing success with Joe (1970), a drama in which Susan Sarandon made her film debut. Joe received critical acclaim for its star, Peter Boyle.
A documentary about Avildsen's life and career is in production.
Besides Anthony, Avidsen is survived by two other sons, Jonathan and Ashley, and a daughter, Bridget.
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