Hollywood agent Warren Cowan, who represented stars such as Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant and Elizabeth Taylor, has died aged 87.

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The publicist died in hospital in Los Angeles just three weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Playboy's Hugh Hefner paid tribute to Mr Cowan, describing him as "part of old Hollywood".

"He knew everyone of importance in this town and represented most of them," Hefner said.

Former US president Ronald Reagan often joked that if Mr Cowan had done a better job of promoting his acting career, he would never have been forced to find another career in politics.

Favourite client

After serving in the US Air Force Mr Cowan joined veteran publicist Henry Rogers and went on to form agency Rogers & Cowan.

It soon became the biggest publicity company in Hollywood representing stars such as Judy Garland, Doris Day, Clint Eastwood, Gene Kelly and John Wayne.

When asked who his favourite client was, Mr Cowan always answered: "The next one".

Rogers & Cowan was sold to an English conglomerate in 1988. Henry Rogers died in 1995.

Mr Cowan formed another company, Warren Cowan and Associates, in 1994 with another stable of top Hollywood clients, including Taylor, Paul Newman and Kirk Douglas.

Despite being ill, Mr Cowan continued to work, and even issued a statement earlier this week regarding unfounded rumours that Newman had died.