Director John Avildsen dies at 81; won Oscar for `Rocky' Published June 17, 2017 U.S. FOX 29 Philadelphia Facebook Twitter Print Email LOS ANGELES (AP/WTXF) - John G. Avildsen, who directed "Rocky" and "The Karate Kid" -- two dark-horse, underdog favorites that went on to become Hollywood franchises -- died Friday at age 81.