Los Angeles, Sep 21 (IANS): Curtis Hanson, who directed the Oscar-winning film "L.A Confidential", was found dead in his Hollywood Hills home here, a spokesperson of the Los Angeles Police Department has said. He was 71.

Hanson passed away on Tuesday afternoon, reports variety.com.

The police officer said that the paramedics responded to a call of an unconscious man at Hanson's home at about 4:52 p.m. on Tuesday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Earlier it appeared in reports that Hanson died of a heart attack; while the Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson could not confirm that specific information, he said Hanson died of "natural causes."

Hanson retired in recent years and was reported to be suffering from Alzheimer's.

The director has films like "The River Wild", "Wonder Boys", "8 Mile" and "In Her Shoes" to his credit.

The director's last film was "Chasing Mavericks", a biopic of surfer Jay Moriarity starring Gerard Butler, but Hanson had to leave that production toward the end of shooting in 2011 due to what was said at the time to be complications following his recent heart surgery.

Hanson is survived by his wife - film producer Rebecca Yeldham - and a son.