John G. Avildsen

John Guilbert Avildsen was an American film director. He is perhaps best known for directing Rocky (1976), which earned him the Academy Award for Best Director, and the first three The Karate Kid films. Other films he directed include Joe (1970), Save the Tiger (1973), The Formula (1980), Neighbors (1981), Lean on Me (1989), Rocky V (1990), and 8 Seconds (1994).