What famed film director died within a couple hours of being interviewed by Merv Griffin ?

Hi DS,
It was Orson Welles.
Of the estimated 25,000 people he has interviewed, Orson Welles was the most fascinating, he said. "He allowed no pre-interview and no questions about his past at all." In 1985, Welles, once married to Rita Hayworth, approached Mr. Griffin moments before the show: "He said, 'You know all the wonderful gossipy things that you've always wanted to ask about my past?' And I said, 'Yes, but I'm not allowed to ask those.' And he said: 'Well, tonight you are. I'm feeling very expansive.' He said, 'Ask me anything,' and I did, and then he went home and died two hours later."

From an interesting 2005 article in the New York Times

Spot on !

Thanks for the answer !