MUMBAI: Hollywood director and actor Sydney Pollack died on 26 May (Monday). Pollack (73) was suffering from cancer and died in his Los Angeles home.

He won the 1985 Academy Award for best director for Out of Africa, the story of a white woman living in Kenya. The award followed his best-director Oscar nominations for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? in 1969 and Tootsie in 1982.

Pollack was best known for tense dramas, often political or legal thrillers. He regularly appeared as a character actor in his own and other films. His last screen appearance was in Made of Honor, a romantic comedy still in theaters, where he played the oft-married father of Patrick Dempsey’s character.

Last year, Pollack played law firm boss Marty Bach opposite George Clooney in Michael Clayton, which was also co-produced by him. The film received seven Oscar nominations.

He has also acted in shows like Will & Grace, Frasier and Entourage.

He is survived by his wife, Claire; two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel; his brother Bernie; and six grandchildren.