Saul Zaentz | Movie producer, 92

Three-time Oscar-winning movie and music producer Saul Zaentz, 92, died Friday at his home in San Francisco. The cause was complications of Alzheimer's disease, said his nephew, Paul Zaentz.

Director Milos Forman, who won Oscars for two Zaentz films, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadeus, said: "It was a wonderful collaboration. Usually there is some friction between the producer and director or whatever. But with him, never."

However, John C. Fogerty, songwriter and singer with Creedence Clearwater Revival, was one of several people and companies who battled Mr. Zaentz in court over various matters, but the showdown with Fogerty was particularly nasty.

He was a credited producer on nine films, beginning in 1975, after a successful run in the music business. But three of those films, including the first, Cuckoo's Nest, won best picture Academy Awards. - L.A. Times