Vangelis, the Greek 'Chariots of Fire' Composer, Dies At 79

Composer Vangelis Papathanassiou, right, answers a question during a press conference in Athens, June 27, 2001. Vangelis, the Greece-born electronic composer who wrote the Academy Award-winning score for the film "Chariots of Fire" and music for dozens of other movies, documentaries and TV series, has died. He was 79. (AP Photo/Aris Messinis, File)

Athens, Greece (AP) -- Vangelis, the Greek electronic composer who wrote the unforgettable Academy Award-winning score for the film “Chariots of Fire” and music for dozens of other movies, documentaries and TV series, has died at 79.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other government officials expressed their condolences Thursday. Greek media reported that Vangelis — born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou — died in a French hospital late Tuesday.