Erotic Film Master Zalman King Dead at 70

SANTA MONICA, Calif.—Zalman King, the producer, director and screenwriter of numerous erotically-charged films, died this morning after a six-year battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. King’s credits include 9 ½ Weeks, Wild Orchid and the well-known Red Shoe Diaries for Showtime, which spawned many sequels and became a staple of erotic late-night cable TV. Born Zalman Lefkowitz in Trenton, N.J. King started as an actor in 1964, playing various featured roles in TV series such as The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Gunsmoke, Adam-12 and The Young Lawyers on ABC. King is perhaps best known for his collaboration with director Adrian Lyne on the film 9 ½ Weeks, which featured an incendiary sex scene between Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger. The scene has long been considered the hottest sex scene in a mainstream Hollywood film. "The world lost a brilliant and noble soul today," actor Charlie Sheen wrote on his Facebook page of his longtime friend. "My dear friend of 40 years, Zalman King, just lost his battle with cancer. Fought like a recon Marine til the bitter end. Say a prayer for his amazing wife Pat and their lovely daughters. Safe travels my friend." King was praised for his work by the Los Angeles Times, which said, "Zalman King is the reigning auteur of erotic fantasy." Premiere Magazine called him "the high priest of erotic filmmaking." King is survived by his wife, Patricia Louisianna Knop, who was by his side when he passed away, and two daughters, Chloe King and Gillian Lefkowitz.