Master of the psycho-sexual genre film who, after a stint as a professional deep-sea diver, turned to acting in the early 1970s and to filmmaking in the 80s. King made his acting debut in "The Ski Bum" (1970) and frequently portrayed disillusioned idealists in such films as "You've Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It Or You'll Lose That Beat" (1971); he was also featured in several horror films ("Blue Sunshine" 1977, "Galaxy of Terror" 1981). He won notoriety, however, for the uncut video and European versions of his controversial erotic fantasies, "9 1/2 Weeks" (1986) and "Wild Orchid" (1989) on which he collaborated with his wife, screenwriter Patricia Louisiana Knop.