Arthur Hiller, the director of classic weepie Love Story, has died at the age of 92.
The Canadian-born filmmaker passed away from natural causes in Los Angeles, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed.
Hiller, who served as Academy president from 1993 to 1997, is best known for directing Love Story.
The 1970 film about star-crossed Ivy League lovers played by Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal was a huge box office hit.
MacGraw paid tribute to Hiller saying he was ‘an integral part of one of the most important experiences of my life’.
She said: ‘He was a remarkable, gifted, generous human being and I will miss him terribly.
‘My heart and love go out to his family.’
The film was nominated for seven Oscars and took home one for best original score.
He directed more than 30 films during his career including Silver Streak, The Out-of-Towners and The In-Laws.
Hiller got his first break in big budget filmmaking in 1963’s Miracle of the White Stallions.
The filmmaker was married to Gwen Pechet for 68 years until her death in June.
The couple had a son, Henryk, and daughter, Erica.
