PARIS (AP) — French actor, director and producer Claude Berri has died at age 74.

Agent Dominique Segall said Berri died Monday after being hospitalized early
Sunday. The cause of death was not given.

President Nicolas Sarkozy called Berri “the most legendary figure of French
cinema” and “the great ambassador” of French film in the world, in a statement
expressing condolences.

Berri produced Roman Polanski’s “Tess” in 1979 and directed movies including “Jean de Florette” in 1986, followed by “Manon des Sources,” (”Manon of the Spring”) both
adapted from Marcel Pagnol’s vision of the French countryside.

Berri’s short film “Le Poulet” won an Oscar in 1965.

Berri earlier acted in films by Claude Chabrol.

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