Oscar-winning composer Morricone dies aged 91

The iconic Italian composer Ennio Morricone, whose movie scores included greats such as the classic Clint Eastwood Western "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," has died.

His lawyer confirmed the news to Reuters on Monday (July 6).

The 91-year-old passed away at a Rome hospital 10 days after being treated for a broken femur.

Morricone’s stellar career saw him win dozens of awards, including two Oscars, the last of which coming in 2016 for his work on Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight."

It was his friendship with Italian director Sergio Leone that brought him fame, with scores for Spaghetti Westerns starring Eastwood in the 1960s.

They include the so-called "Dollars Trilogy": "A Fistful of Dollars," "For a Few Dollars More," and, of course, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

Music for "The Mission" and "Cinema Paradiso" also made him one of the world's most famous and prolific screen composers across all genres.

President Guiseppe Conte said on Twitter quote, "We will forever remember, with infinite gratitude, the artistic genius of Maestro Ennio Morricone”.

Morricone is survived by his wife Maria, his three sons Andrea, a composer and conductor, Giovanni and Marco and his daughter Alessandra.