NEW YORK -- Bob Avian, a Tony Award-winning choreographer who had a role in some of the most beloved and influential shows on Broadway, including "Dreamgirls," "A Chorus Line," "Follies" and "Miss Saigon," has died.

He was 83.

His publicist says Avian died Thursday of cardiac arrest at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Tony-winner Tony Yazbeck on Twitter called Avian "a sweet and kind spirit who generously gave his creative talents to legendary works."

Marvin Hamlisch said: "His legacy will live on stage for years to come."

Avian rose from a dancer in "West Side Story" and "Funny Girl" to work alongside such theatre luminaries as Michael Bennett, Cameron Macintosh, Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

It was with Bennett that Avian enjoyed a long professional partnership, working as associate choreographer or assistant director on such Bennett-choreographed productions as "A Chorus Line," "Promises, Promises," "Coco," "Company," "Follies, "Seesaw" and "God's Favorite."

He was a producer on the original "Dreamgirls" and "Ballroom" and did musical staging for "Sunset Boulevard" starring Glenn Close in 1994, "Putting It Together" with Carol Burnett and the original "Miss Saigon" with Lea Salonga in 1991.

Avian earned six Tony nominations and won twice, for choreographing "Ballroom" and co-choreographing "A Chorus Line."

He won an Oliver Award for choreographing Boublil and Schonberg's musical "Martin Guerre" in London.

He also choreographed "The Witches of Eastwick" in the West End starring Ian McShane.

Avian is survived by his husband, Peter Pileski, and a sister, Laura Nabedian.