Michel Legrand, the French composer who won three Oscars during his career, has died at the age of 86.

Legrand’s spokesman confirmed that the composer had died during the night amid preparations for his planned concerts in Paris which were scheduled to take place in April.

In a career that spans more than 50 years, Legrand collaborated with the likes of Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra and more. His skills were first recognised by the Academy in 1968 when his collection of songs ‘The Windmills of Your Mind’ accompanied the film The Thomas Crown Affair which was directed by Norman Jewison and starred the likes of Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway.

In 1972 Legrand claimed his second Oscar when his score for Summer of ’42. A film that went on to secure five awards at the 1972 44th Academy Awards. Finally, he completed his hat-trick ten years later when the romantic musical drama Yentl directed by Barbra Streisand landed him another best score.

All in all, it is believed that Legrand composed more than 200 film scores in his career, working with names such as Streisand, Jacques Demy, Jean-Luc Godard, Clint Eastwood, Robert Altman and many more.

He is survived by his third wife, Meril, and four children.

