Altman was one of Hollywood's legendary figures

The Hollywood maverick, renowned for his improvisational style, died in a Los Angeles hospital on Monday.

He was a five-time Academy Awards best director nominee, but never won the movie industry's top honour.

However, he was given an honorary Oscar this year for "a career that has repeatedly reinvented the art form".

He was a giant of the industry... who kept the energy of a youthful rebel

Julian Fellowes

'An extraordinary character' Working with a Hollywood legend

Actor Kevin Spacey, director of the Old Vic, said he had been "privileged" to work with him.

"Robert Altman was a truly unique director and an extraordinary man," he said.

"We are all saddened by this news and send our condolences to his wife Kathryn and family."

Actor and author Julian Fellowes, who wrote the screenplay for Altman's 2001 film Gosford Park, called him "an extraordinary character".

"He was a giant of the industry... who kept the energy of a youthful rebel until his 81st year," he told BBC News 24.

HAVE YOUR SAY We've lost one of the truly great directors. A genuine pioneer

Dan Jones, Bristol

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His other films included the "revisionist" Western movie McCabe and Mrs Miller and comic strip adaptation Popeye.

His last film, A Prairie Home Companion, was released in the US earlier this year.

The cause of his death was not disclosed.

"No other film-maker has gotten a better shake than I have," he said while accepting his honorary Oscar in March. "I'm very fortunate in my career.

"I've never had to direct a film I didn't choose or develop. My love for film-making has given me an entree to the world and to the human condition."