Robert Evans at an exhibit opening in Los Angeles. File photo/AP

He was handsome, full of zeal, and had a brilliant sense of humour. Hollywood producer Robert Evans, who oversaw classics of the 1970s such as the Godfather and Chinatown, has died at the age of 89.

He was the paramount figure at Paramount Studios, who transformed the studio from churning out mediocre films to the biggest hit machine in the film industry, with such blockbusters as the Godfather.

A larger-than-life figure, Evans was known in Tinseltown both for saving Paramount Pictures by greenlighting a string of hits, and for his tabloid lifestyle including cocaine addiction and seven marriages.

Evans' death was confirmed on Monday by his publicist, and by a second person close to the producer. No details were immediately available.

Robert Evans talking about his film "Chinatown." File photo/AP

Evans took over as Paramount's head of production in 1966 aged just 36, ushering in a highly successful era for the studio including "Rosemary's Baby" (1968) with director Roman Polanski, followed by Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" (1972).

Coppola paid tribute on Monday to Evans' "charm, good looks, enthusiasm, style, and sense of humor."

"He had strong instincts as evidenced by the long list of great films in his career," said Coppola in a statement, also praising Evans' "ultimate realisation that 'The Godfather' could be 2 hours and 45 minutes in length."

Robert Evans poses at the second annual "Rebels With a Cause" gala at Paramount Pictures Studios. File photo

Evans earned an Oscar nomination — his only Academy recognition — for personally producing "Chinatown" (1974), again with Polanski.

He is survived by his only son Joshua.

Born the son of a New York dentist in 1930, Evans was a partner in a clothing company before moving to Los Angeles where he began his film acting career.

He appeared in the 1957 movie version of Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises," despite the author's protests.

Darryl F. Zanuck, head of 20th Century Fox at the time, reportedly insisted that the handsome Evans remain in the film by declaring "The kid stays in the picture" — later the title of Evans' autobiography and a documentary about his life.

After a string of poorly received acting roles, Evans quickly switched to producing. He left Paramount in 1975, before returning to moderate success in the 1990s.

"May the kid always stay in the picture," wrote Coppola.