Director Franklin J. Schaffner, whose 1970 movie "Patton" won best picture and six other Oscars, has died. He was 69.
Schaffner, who during a four-decade career also directed such popular films as "Planet of the Apes" and "Papillon," died of cancer Sunday at his Santa Monica, Calif., home.He had just completed "Welcome Home" for Columbia Pictures, said publicist Michael Roth.
"Patton" star George C. Scott refused to accept the Oscar he won for best actor for his portrayal of the World War II Gen. George S. Patton, saying the awards demeaned the profession.
But Schaffner, who won best director for the movie, said, "I will gladly accept any honors from the academy."
Schaffner's films received 28 Academy Award nominations.
He also was producer and past president of the Directors Guild of America.
His television career included more than 150 live CBS plays for programs including "Studio One" and "Ford Theatre."
He won Emmy awards for directing in 1954, 1955 and 1962, and directed the first six episodes of "The Defenders," a television courtroom drama that began in 1961 and starred E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed.