French director Roger Vadim died today after a long struggle with cancer. He was 72.

Vadim is perhaps best known for launching Brigitte Bardot's career in the 1956 And God Created Woman. His credits also include the 1968 sci-fi picture Barbarella - starring his wife at the time, Jane Fonda - Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1959), Et Mourir De Plaisir (1960), Dom Juan (1973) and The Hot Touch (1981).

Vadim also earned fame as a producer, writer and theatre director. His most recent work included several made-for-television mini-series such as Mon Pere Avait Raison (1996), La Nouvelle Tribu (1996) and Amour Fou (1993).

He is survived by his wife, actress Marie-Christine Barrault, and four children including Vanessa, born to Fonda.