Legendary movie composer Ennio Morricone has died at the age of 91 after breaking his hip in a fall.
His family confirmed his death in Italian publication Corriere Della Sera and said he had "preserved to the last full lucidity and great dignity."
Morricone suffered the accident some days ago and died during the night in hospital, reports MirrorOnline.
A statement from the family said Morricone "greeted his beloved wife Maria who accompanied him with dedication in every moment of his human and professional life and was close to him until the last breath."
It also thanked his children and grandchildren for the love and care they gave him.
The statement added: "He dedicated a moving memory to his audience from whose affectionate support he has always drawn the strength of his creativity."
The Italian composer created music for more than 400 films, but was best-known for the soundtrack to 1966 Spaghetti Western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
He started out as a talented footballer playing for Serie A giants AS Roma but left the sport to pursue a career in music.
Morricone was rated as one of the world's most influential composers after writing scores for cinema - including 70 award-winning films - television and 100 classical works.
He also wrote music for a host of blockbusters, including The Thing, The Untouchables, Cinema Paradiso and The Hateful Eight.
In 2007 he received an Academy Honorary Award for his " magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music."
His score for Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight won the Oscar for Best Original Score in 2016, making him the oldest person to ever win the award.
Morricone was nominated for a further six Oscars.
