Lung failure identified as Marvin Hamlisch's cause of death

Legendary composer MARVIN HAMLISCH died as a result of lung failure, according to his death certificate.

The Hollywood icon, who boasted the rare honor of being one of only two people ever awarded an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize, passed away after a brief illness in Los Angeles on 6 August (12), aged 68.

Now it's emerged that Hamlisch had suffered brain damage weeks prior to his passing, but it was a respiratory arrest caused by high blood pressure and a lack of oxygen to the brain which ultimately claimed his life, reports TMZ.com.

Hamlisch was laid to rest in his native New York on Tuesday (14Aug12) with mourners including Richard Gere, Liza Minnelli, Idina Menzel and former President Bill Clinton.