{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "@id": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/person/97561/william-finley",
  "name": "William Finley",
  "url": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/person/97561/william-finley",
  "knownForDepartment": "Acting",
  "description": "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.\n\nFinley graduated from Columbia University in 1963. He resided in New York City with his wife and son.",
  "birthDate": "1942-09-20",
  "deathDate": "2012-04-14",
  "birthPlace": "Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA",
  "alternateName": [
    "Bill Finley"
  ],
  "image": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/gwcqayLlpBpHfmL4UxwwdcPvAoY.jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0278073"
  ],
  "lastVerified": "3 May 2026",
  "filmography": [
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 29,
      "title": "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman",
      "year": "1976",
      "role": "as Dr. Elvin McCabe",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.222,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/O1bcYEBW8v7JOMNVpYOBTL6PjL.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/29/mary-hartman-mary-hartman-1976"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 11033,
      "title": "Dressed to Kill",
      "year": "1980",
      "role": "as Bobbi (voice) (uncredited)",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.966,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/oy1m5dd44foNrxV8U9l6Walx82V.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/11033/dressed-to-kill-1980"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 27327,
      "title": "Phantom of the Paradise",
      "year": "1974",
      "role": "as Winslow Leach / The Phantom",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.459,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/qDOtGWeSQNwB3dG7Amt1K0JW0az.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/27327/phantom-of-the-paradise-1974"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 9676,
      "title": "The Black Dahlia",
      "year": "2006",
      "role": "as George Tilden",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 5.635,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/su7yuXqGUHICfoijtcSaxWLE34Y.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/9676/the-black-dahlia-2006"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 12611,
      "title": "The Fury",
      "year": "1978",
      "role": "as Raymond Dunwoodie",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.3,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/tkIXykrfndqf11Lb7U5RbIRa13b.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/12611/the-fury-1978"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 22307,
      "title": "Sisters",
      "year": "1973",
      "role": "as Emil Breton",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.718,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/hqxzpgJse54AcX1Mt1c6raXS290.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/22307/sisters-1973"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 27150,
      "title": "Silent Rage",
      "year": "1982",
      "role": "as Dr. Paul Vaughn",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 5.978,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/9LwR6SFLuzbbzYgXdGnVHahBqrO.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/27150/silent-rage-1982"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 30062,
      "title": "Eaten Alive",
      "year": "1976",
      "role": "as Roy",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 5.525,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/5RVbWSY0Zo3ggQBVheEfqlpad8h.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/30062/eaten-alive-1976"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 13555,
      "title": "The Funhouse",
      "year": "1981",
      "role": "as Marco the Magnificent",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 5.877,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/9eFgNrkTbXk1TBPuzxdOEjutNoC.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/13555/the-funhouse-1981"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 42179,
      "title": "Wise Blood",
      "year": "1979",
      "role": "as Man (uncredited)",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.388,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/gSZQC6u86iaugBSs1KBrXST7KSL.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/42179/wise-blood-1979"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 55792,
      "title": "Simon",
      "year": "1980",
      "role": "as Fichandler",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.333,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/thdQGmhthIxYgJmyucXBozMgIP8.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/55792/simon-1980"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 74137,
      "title": "The Wedding Party",
      "year": "1969",
      "role": "as Alistair",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 4.414,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/vfEkKOCeFmfWwkuaO4wTvtM7E3.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/74137/the-wedding-party-1969"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 1015021,
      "title": "Last Hours Before Morning",
      "year": "1975",
      "role": "as Elmo",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 4.5,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/n0eAymYQeUvBiuz0yZoGf3bKco.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/1015021/last-hours-before-morning-1975"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 78247,
      "title": "Night Terrors",
      "year": "1993",
      "role": "as Dr. Matteson",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 4.024,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/1SJy6LdrlsxIE91ZGG1dFuzmRFg.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/78247/night-terrors-1993"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 334033,
      "title": "Sick Girl",
      "year": "2006",
      "role": "as Husband",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.2,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/ayUkeTAikjxC4KTClDX6xyOvsPJ.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/334033/sick-girl-2006"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 64936,
      "title": "Murder à la Mod",
      "year": "1968",
      "role": "as Otto",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 4.648,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/rywNtpPmIlS5uIL85gk2gOAuEuU.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/64936/murder-a-la-mod-1968"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 260672,
      "title": "The First Time",
      "year": "1983",
      "role": "Screenplay",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 5,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/gzZDBzvse52GV2yEnge0FMAixLJ.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/260672/the-first-time-1983"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 303284,
      "title": "Paradise Regained: Brian de Palma's 'Phantom of the Paradise'",
      "year": "2006",
      "role": "as Himself",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 5.5,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/gd8ttVeoE1BiUrd0qWAZiT9h5EL.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/303284/paradise-regained-brian-de-palma-s-phantom-of-the-paradise-2006"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 98048,
      "title": "Dionysus in '69",
      "year": "1970",
      "role": "as Self/Dionysus",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.214,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/jVVf5dFkkzQg3xXqlblWlMIxGd7.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/98048/dionysus-in-69-1970"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 484085,
      "title": "Double Negative",
      "year": "1985",
      "role": "as Milt",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/l8KhUS96TxoupPixJcWCGvAVw98.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/484085/double-negative-1985"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 630354,
      "title": "The Autopsy",
      "year": "2004",
      "role": "as Self",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 10,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/oYZF8OFovWHE97aWq8UFAjQ1VG9.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/630354/the-autopsy-2004"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 186959,
      "title": "Woton's Wake",
      "year": "1963",
      "role": "as Woton",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.4,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/Ba8UXZlBYsX4YZbJom5IlNpWK0.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/186959/woton-s-wake-1963"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 315952,
      "title": "The Weird World Of Weird: Volume 2",
      "year": "2011",
      "role": "as Woton’s Wake",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": null,
      "posterUrl": null,
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/315952/the-weird-world-of-weird-volume-2-2011"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 469725,
      "title": "Brian De Palma : Les Années 60",
      "year": "2003",
      "role": "Cast",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 9,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/iIksQmG8eaxPU6kdLFRVAw1ZAlN.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/469725/brian-de-palma-les-annees-60-2003"
    }
  ]
}