Richard Friedman (filmmaker)

Richard Friedman
Born	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Director, producer, writer
Years active	1984–present
Website	Orichardfriedmanfilm.com

Richard Friedman is an American director, producer, and writer known for his work in motion pictures, television, and music videos. He has directed over 15 feature films, including Born, Thou Shalt Kill, ^[1] and Acts of Desperation. His career spans network television, episodic series, and music videos, collaborating with major studios and notable actors.

Early Life and Education

Richard Friedman was born in Brooklyn, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Brooklyn College before pursuing filmmaking at the New York University Graduate School of Film, where he received a Master of Fine Arts in Motion Picture Directing and Film Production. ^[2]

Career

Feature Films

Friedman has directed and produced multiple feature films across various genres, including:

• Thou Shalt Kill (2025) – starring Vince Lozano and Augie Duke ^{[3] [4]}
• Acts of Desperation (2018) – starring Paul Sorvino and Jason Gedrick ^[5]
• Christmas Crime Story (2016) – starring Adrian Paul and Eric Close ^[6]
• Born (2007) – starring Alison Brie, Denise Crosby, and Joan Severance ^[7]
• 5th & Alameda (2011) – starring Corey Sevier and Mario Van Peebles
• DarkWolf (2003) – starring Samaire Armstrong and Tippi Hedren
• Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge (1989) – starring Pauly Shore and Morgan Fairchild ^[8]

His films have been distributed by companies such as Lionsgate and Twentieth Century Fox.

Television

Friedman has directed over 35 episodes of network and syndicated television series, including:

• Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (Warner Bros.)
• Baywatch Nights (All American TV) ^[9]
• Silk Stalkings (Stu Segall Productions) ^[10]
• Friday the 13th: The Series (Paramount Television)
• Tales from the Darkside (Laurel Entertainment)
• Monsters (Laurel Entertainment)

He also directed television movies such as:

• Shadow of a Stranger (1992) – starring Joan Chen and Parker Stevenson ^[11]
• In the Shadows, Someone's Watching (1993) – starring Daniel J. Travanti and Chris Noth
• Awake to Danger (1995) – starring Tori Spelling and Michael Gross ^[12]

Music Videos

Friedman directed music videos, including:

• "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" – Billy Joel
• "My, My, My" – Johnny Gill
• "Love Is for the Chosen" – Richie Havens

His video for Billy Joel's "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" was recognized for raising awareness about teen suicide.

Teaching and Affiliations

Friedman has taught directing at UCLA and is currently an adjunct professor at the New York Film Academy. ^[13] He is a member of the Directors Guild of America, Writers Guild of America, and the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Personal Life

Friedman resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife Monica and their twin children, Emma and Max.

References

1. "Thou Shalt Kill (2025) Review - Voices From The Balcony". voicesfromthebalcony.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
2. "Home". RichardFriedmanFilm. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
3. "Thou Shalt Kill | The Horror Collective". thehorrorcollective.com. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
4. "'Thou Shalt Kill' Movie Review: A Decent Serial Killer Thriller With Perhaps Unnecessary Twist | Film Fugitives". 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
5. nyfa. ""Acts of Desperation" Provides New York Film Academy (NYFA) Alumni Credit & Experience Opportunity". NYFA. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
6. nyfa. "NYFA Industry Lab Debuts "Christmas Eve" with Richard Friedman". NYFA. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
7. "DVD Review: Born" . Retrieved 2025-02-06.
8. "Blu Review – Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge (Arrow Video)". Horror Society. 2022-02-23. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
9. "List of Baywatch Nights episodes", Wikipedia, 2025-01-05, retrieved 2025-02-06
10. "The BEST episodes directed by Richard Friedman". episode.ninja. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
11. Shadow of a Stranger (1992) . Retrieved 2025-02-06– via letterboxd.com.
12. "RICHARD FRIEDMAN". The Scarlet Abbey. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
13. nyfa. "Faculty Directory". NYFA. Retrieved 2025-02-06.

External Links

• Official Website
• Richard Friedman on IMDb