OBIT: Hollywood Writer, Director Paul Mazurksy

Mazursky, 84, died Monday at at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of pulmonary cardiac arrest, family spokeswoman Nancy Willen told the Los Angeles Times.

Following stints as an actor and writer, Mazursky began his directing career with the 1969 wife-swapping comedy-drama "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." He received a best original screenplay Oscar nomination for his script.

Mazursky directed Art Carney to a best actor Oscar for the 1974 road movie "Harry and Tonto" and received a best original screenplay Oscar nomination.

Mazursky also directed "Alex in Wonderland," "Blume in Love," "Next Stop, Greenwich Village," "An Unmarried Woman," "Willie & Phil," "Tempest," "Moscow on the Hudson," "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," "Moon Over Parador," "Enemies, a Love Story" and "Scenes from a Mall."

Mazursky's other writing Oscar nominations were for "An Unmarried Woman" and "Enemies, a Love Story." He was among the producers of "An Unmarried Woman," which received a best picture Oscar nomination.

Born Irwin Mazursky in Brooklyn on April 25, 1930, Mazursky made his film debut as an actor in director Stanley Kubrick's first feature, the 1953 military action and adventure film, "Fear and Desire," in which he changed his first name to Paul.

Mazursky also appeared in the films "The Blackboard Jungle," "A Star is Born," "The History of the World Part I," "Punchline," "Carlito's Way," "Love Affair," "Miami Rhapsody" and "Crazy in Alabama."

He also supplied the voice of the psychiatrist of an individualistic but meek worker ant (Woody Allen) in the 1998 animated comedy "Antz."

Mazursky's television acting credits include three episodes of the original version of "The Twilight Zone," the Chuck Connors-starring Western, "The Rifleman," "The Sopranos" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm."     He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December.