Oscar-nominated star Lawrence Turman dies in hospital as son pays emotional tribute

The legendary producer was the mastermind behind The Graduate, released in 1967, Running Scared and The Great White Hope.

The Graduate was nominated for Best Picture at The Oscars.

His son, John Turman, has paid tribute to his father and remembered him as having a "long and storied life".

"Our father Lawrence Turman passed away late yesterday.

"It's sad but he had a long and storied life and its the passing of an era," he said in a statement to Deadline.

Turman's producing credits include: 1961's The Young Doctors, 1982's The Thing, 1970's The Great White Hope, 1986's Short Circuit, 1997's Booty Call, 1998's American History X and 2011's The Thing.

In 2017, Turman told Little White Lies: "I was famous after The Graduate for about 20 minutes.

"It’s nice to get a better table at the restaurant, but basically, that doesn’t motivate me."

He added: "I was inundated with telephone calls and letters and scripts after the film’s success.

"That’s Hollywood. Fame is ephemeral and gives us life."

The producer and director created more than 30 movies over the course of his career.

In his book So You Want to Be a Producer, he wrote: "I initiate every single film project upon which I work; most of them would not have seen the light of day had I not decided to make them.

"I’m the starter and also the finisher.”

The Motion Picture and Television Country Home and Hospital is planning a memorial service for Turman, with more details to be announced soon.

He is survived by his sons John, Andrew, and Peter, daughters-in-law Analuisa, Nancy and Sheri; grandchildren Audrey, Carter, Georgia and Olivia; and nieces Katherine and Suzanna.