Gabriel Axel, director of the film "Babette's Feast" which made him the first Dane to win an Oscar for best foreign film, has died. He was 95, the Associated Press reported.

His daughter, Karin Moerch, said in a statement that he died on Sunday, Feb 9. She did not say where he died or the cause of death.

Axel divided his time between France and Denmark, where he directed television series and movies. He also acted in several films.

Axel had his big international breakthrough in 1987 with "Babette's Feast," based on the novel of the same name by Danish author Karen Blixen. It starred French actress Stephane Audran.

Axel's wife of nearly 50 years, Lucie Axel Moerch, died in 1996. He is survived by their four children and eight grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were not announced.