Oscar-winning composer John Barry dies at 77

British film composer John Barry, who won five Oscars and is best known for creating music for the James Bond movies, has died of a heart attack, the BBC reported on Monday. He was 77.

Fellow Bond composer David Arnold wrote on his Twitter feed: "It is with a heavy heart that I tell you John Barry passed away this morning."

Barry's London agent was not immediately available for comment.

"I think James Bond would have been far less cool without John Barry holding his hand," Arnold later told BBC Radio.

Barry's Bond compositions included Goldfinger, From Russia With Love and You Only Live Twice, and his Academy Awards included best music for Dances With Wolves, Out of Africa and Born Free.