Oscar-winning director Milos Forman has died aged 86.

The Czech-born filmmaker was best known for the 1975 drama One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest starring Jack Nichoson and Amadeus, the 1984 film about Mozart, which both earned him Best Director Academy Awards.

Czech news agency CTK reported that Forman died on Friday (April 13) in the United States after a short illness.

Forman's manager Dennis Aspland confirmed to the Press Association that he had been told by the director's wife Martina that he had "passed away late last night".

Jack Nicholson in his Oscar-winning role in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Jack Nicholson in his Oscar-winning role in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Forman travelled to the United States after Communist film authorities rejected his ideas. The first film he made in the US, 1970's Taking Off, was a flop. 

In 1975 he released One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, an adaptation of Ken Kesey's 1962 novel, which became critically acclaimed, achieving the rare feat of scooping five major Oscar awards, best picture, director, actor, actress and adapted screenplay.

Amadeus, starring Tom Hulce as Mozart, which was filmed in Forman's native Czechoslovakia, won eight Oscars, including best picture and director.

Forman's other notable films include The People vs Larry Flynt (1996) and Man On The Moon starring Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman (1999).

Director Edgar Wright and actor Antonio Banderas are among those who have paid tribute to the director on social media following the news of his death.

.