Hollywood filmmaker Steve Bing has been found dead in Los Angeles aged 55.

Elizabeth Hurley paid tribute to her ex-partner, who she dated for around 18 months in 2000 and 2001, saying she will remember him as a “sweet, kind man”.

He was the father to Hurley’s 18-year-old son, Damian, and had a daughter with the former professional tennis player Lisa Bonder.

Bing initially denied he was Damian’s biological father only for DNA tests to vindicate Hurley.

I’m saddened beyond belief that Steve is no longer with us. Our time together was very happy & although there were some tough times, the memories of a sweet, kind man are what matter. We became close again in the last year & last spoke on our son’s 18th. This is devastating news. pic.twitter.com/aivYc5lL3x

— Elizabeth Hurley (@ElizabethHurley) June 23, 2020

Sharing a gallery of photos of them as a couple, she wrote on social media: “I am saddened beyond belief that my ex Steve is no longer with us. It is a terrible end.

“Our time together was very happy and I’m posting these pictures because although we went through some tough times, it’s the good, wonderful memories of a sweet, kind man that matter.

“In the past year we had become close again. We last spoke on our son’s 18th birthday. This is devastating news and I thank everyone for their lovely messages.”

Former US president Bill Clinton, a friend of Bing, said “he had a big heart, and he was willing to do anything he could for the people and causes he believed in”.

Bing, 55, was known for his work on movies including Kangaroo Jack, which he co-wrote, and for financing films including The Polar Express, starring Tom Hanks.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it was investigating the death of a man in his 50s in the Century City area of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County coroner said a man was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.10pm local time on Monday, and that identification was pending.

Bing donated money to Mr Clinton and was reportedly instrumental in helping the former president return two American reporters from North Korea in 2009.

In his tribute, Mr Clinton said: “I loved Steve Bing very much. He had a big heart, and he was willing to do anything he could for the people and causes he believed in. I will miss him and his enthusiasm more than I can say, and I hope he’s finally found peace.”

Bing is reported to have dropped out of Stanford university as an 18-year-old after he inherited $US600 million from his grandfather, the real estate developer Leo S Bing.

He then launched his Hollywood career and co-wrote the 2003 comedy Kangaroo Jack while reportedly investing $US80 million in the 2004 animated film The Polar Express.

The IMDB website lists him as a producer on films including the Get Carter remake from 2000, starring Sylvester Stallone, and Shine A Light, Martin Scorsese’s 2008 documentary about The Rolling Stones.

Bing was was the founder of Shangri-La Entertainment, an organisation with interests in property, construction, entertainment and music.

As well as his work in Hollywood, Bing also donated money to the Democratic Party.

His name is listed on the Giving Pledge website, a project launched in 2010 by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett which asks the super-rich to give away the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

-AAP