The musician, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Junior and who was responsible for 1990s hit song Gangsta's Paradise, died on Wednesday.

He recorded the song for the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, starring Pfeiffer, and it went on to become one of the most successful rap songs of all time.

The track topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and won Coolio the Grammy award for best rap solo performance in 1996.

Pfeiffer, 64, said she was "heartbroken" to hear of his death, adding she remembered him as "nothing but gracious" when they worked together.

"Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio," she wrote on Instagram, sharing a clip of the film featuring the track.

"A life cut entirely too short.

"I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song.

"Sending love and light to his family. Rest in Power, Artis Leon Ivey Jr."

Coolio's manager at Trinity Artists International, Sheila Finegan, confirmed the death.

"We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon," the agency said in a statement.

"He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly.

"Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing.

The rapper was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend's house in Los Angeles, according to US media outlet TMZ.

His other well-known songs included C U When U Get There and he had also delighted followers with his passion in the kitchen, releasing his recipe book Cookin' With Coolio in 2009.

As well as for his successful music career, he became well known in the UK for his appearances on Channel 4 reality show Big Brother.

The rapper was born in Pennsylvania, but later moved to Compton, California, where he released his first single in 1987.

Gangsta's Paradise was also parodied by US musical comedian Weird Al Yankovic as Amish Paradise, though at the time it was claimed that Coolio had not given him permission to do so.

However, Coolio stated in interviews that the pair had since made amends.

Yankovic paid his respects to Coolio with a short tribute on social media.

Sharing a picture of the pair embracing, he wrote: "RIP Coolio."

Widely credited with combining the world of mainstream pop music with hip-hop, Coolio became a familiar voice on LA radio after leaving college, but his career as an artist took off after his collaboration with WC and the Maad Circle on the 1991 album Ain't A Damn Thang.

His other credits in the world of television included a cameo in TV's Phat Beach, a role in 1997's Batman And Robin and he provided the theme tune to teen comedy Kenan And Kel.

Coolio was nominated for five other Grammys during a career that began in the late 1980s.

Heavyweights from the rap world, including Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and MC Hammer, paid their respects after the news was shared on social media.

Former NWA star Ice Cube said he had witnessed Coolio's "grind to the top of the industry" in his own tribute.

MC Hammer described Coolio as "one of the nicest dudes I've known".

Australian Associated Press