Legendary film director Richard Fleischer has died at 89.

Fleischer's work included The Boston Strangler, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Tora! Tora! Tora! and Rex Harrison vehicle Doctor Dolittle.

He died of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital, situated in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, according to BBC News Online.

Son Mark Fleischer praised his father, explaining: "My parents made a great effort to insulate their children from the craziness of Hollywood. They made sure our lives were as normal as possible."

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in Fleischer-directed Conan The Destroyer, added: "He was a man of great talent and an extraordinary director...a true Hollywood legend."