George Clooney is paying tribute to late director Sydney Pollack, who died of cancer Monday at the age of 73.

"Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better," Clooney — who headlined the Pollack-produced 2007 thriller Michael Clayton — said in a statement to the Associated Press.

"A tip of the hat to a class act," Clooney added. "He'll be missed terribly."

Sally Field — who starred in Pollack's 1981 drama Absence of Malice with Paul Newman — said working with the director was "a great gift in my life.

"He was a good friend and a phenomenal director and I will cherish every moment that I ever spent with him," she added.

Pollack was diagnosed with cancer about nine months ago, his rep said.

He was surrounded by his family at his L.A.-area home when he passed.

He was survived by his wife, Claire; two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel; his brother Bernie; and six grandchildren.

Services will be private, the Los Angeles Times reports.