Director Sam White dead at the age of 99

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Famed director Sam White, who once worked with Hollywood greats Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 99.

Also known as a producer and editor, White died on Aug. 5 in Encino, ending a career that featured him doing everything from making World War II training films to directing Astaire and Rogers in cinematic dance sequences, Daily Variety said.

A brother in the White Brothers film and TV pioneer family, White also worked alongside actor Bela Lugosi on the set of "Return of the Vampire," with William Shatner on "White Comanche" and helped Frank Sinatra make his film debut with "People are Funny," the report said.

White and his brothers Jack and Jules were honored in 1990 through an oral history entitled "The White Brothers," and again in 2003 with a wall of honor at the Motion Picture and Television Home.

Variety said the renowned Hollywood great is survived by a daughter, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.