PARIS, Nov 23 — French film director Georges Lautner, who worked with stars like Jean-Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon and Lino Ventura, died Friday after a long illness, former stuntman Remy Julienne told AFP, quoting close friends.

Lautner, 87, was the son of actress Renee Saint-Cyr who appeared in several of his later films.

He made about 40 movies, often comedies, during a career spanning 60 years.

Lautner studied law before entering the film business as an assistant director in 1949.

He made his first film La Mome aux Boutons in 1958, but his career really took off in 1960 and 1961 with Marche ou Creve, starring Bernard Blier, who repeatedly worked with Lautner, and Le Monocle Noir. — AFP