Producer Mark Travis has died at the age of 61.

The moviemaker passed away on Christmas Eve (24Dec12) after a short illness, according to film website TheWrap.com.

Travis made his name producing independent films in the 1970s, including Richard Pryor: Live in Concert.

The picture was rejected by several major studios so Travis released it with his partners, and it went on to make $32 million (£20 million).

Travis took a sabbatical from the film industry for more than 20 years and worked as chief of staff at Los Angeles' University Cathedral. He later developed a script based on his experiences.

In 2008, Travis returned to his roots to co-develop one-man play The Lifeguard: Ronald Reagan and his Story, with his longterm producer pal David Permut.