William Franklin Finley (September 20, 1940 – April 14, 2012) was an American actor who appeared in the films The Funhouse, Simon, Silent Rage, Phantom of the Paradise, Sisters and The Wedding Party.
Finley had a long-running friendship and collaboration with director Brian De Palma, beginning with the student films Woton's Wake (1962), The Wedding Party (1966) and Murder à la Mod (1968).
Finley also had roles in three films by director Tobe Hooper, Eaten Alive, The Funhouse and Night Terrors. Under the name W. Franklin Finley, he wrote the screenplay for the film The First Time (1983). He was also the co-author of the book Racewalking (1985).
Personal life Finley graduated from Columbia University in 1963. He married Susan Weiser in 1975; the couple had one son, Dashiell. The family resided in New York City.
Death Finley was diagnosed with an inflamed colon on April 6, 2012. He underwent surgery three days after his admission. He appeared to be doing well after the surgery, but on the morning of April 14, 2012, Finley died aged 71 in New York City.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1962Woton's WakeWotonShort1968Murder à la ModOtto1969The Wedding PartyAlistairFilmed in 19631970Dionysus in '69Dionysus1973SistersDr. Emil BretonCredited as Bill Finley1974Phantom of the ParadiseWinslow Leach / The Phantom1977Eaten AliveRoy1978The FuryRaymond Dunwoodie1979Wise BloodManUncredited1980SimonFichandler1980Dressed to KillBobbiVoice, uncredited1981The FunhouseMarco the Magnificent1982Silent RageDr. Paul Vaughn1984Terror in the AislesThe PhantomArchive footage1985Double NegativeMiltShort, credited as Bill Finley1993Night TerrorsDr. Matteson2006The Black DahliaGeorge TildenCredited as Bill Finley, final film role
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