Doctor Zhivago composer Maurice Jarre dies at 84

Mr Sarkozy called French-born Jarre, whose credits include Lawrence of Arabia, "a great composer" who produced "majestic and full-bodied works".

Jarre also won Academy Awards for Dr Zhivago and A Passage To India.

His last public appearance was in February at the Berlin Film Festival, where he won a lifetime award.

A French musicians guild says Oscar-winning film composer Maurice Jarre has died at the age of 84.

Jarre is best known for writing the haunting song "Lara's Theme" from the film "Doctor Zhivago."

SACEM head Bernard Miyet cites Jarre's family Monday as saying the composer died in his California villa.

Jarre penned dozens of scores for some of Hollywood's most prominent directors.

He won Oscars for his music for "Doctor Zhivago," "Lawrence of Arabia," and "Passage to India," and was nominated for an additional six Academy Awards.

Jarre was born in 1924 in Lyon, France, and studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris before starting his career composing scores for theatrical productions. He has lived in the U.S. for decades.

One of Jarre's final public appearances was at the Berlin film festival on 12 February, where he was feted with a lifetime achievement award. Festival director Dieter Kosslick said at the time: "Film composers often are in the shadows of great directors and acting stars. It's different with Maurice Jarre – the music of Doctor Zhivago, like much of his work, is world-famous and remains unforgettable in cinema history."