'Bullitt' producer Robert E. Relyea dies

[March 16, 2013]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The film producer and director whose credits included "The Magnificent Seven" and "West Side Story has died. Robert E. Relyea was 82.

A spokeswoman for Relyea says he died March 5 of natural causes in Los Angeles.

Relyea's career spanned over 40 years. He worked with stars such as John Wayne on "The Alamo" and Elvis Presley on "Jailhouse Rock."

He collaborated with Steve McQueen on several films, including "Bullitt," "Le Mans" and "The Reivers."

Relyea started as an MGM crew member in 1955 and served as president of production at MGM-United Artists from 1997 to 2001. He released his autobiography, "Not So Quiet on the Set," in 2008.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; five children; two stepchildren and grandchildren.

[Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG]

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