John Leslie | Adult-film star, 65

John Leslie, 65, who appeared in more than 300 adult films in the 1970s and 1980s before moving on to directing, has died in Northern California.

Friends said Mr. Leslie, whose real name was John Nuzzo, died Sunday of an apparent heart attack at his Mill Valley home.

Mr. Leslie won pornography-industry awards as an actor and director. He appeared in such titles as Cry for Cindy and Talk Dirty to Me, the 1980 film that solidified his status as porn's leading man.

Mark Kernes, senior editor of the adult-film publication AVN, said Mr. Leslie was a talented director with an artistic eye for detail. He was inducted into the Legends of Erotica Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, as well as AVN's Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kathleen. - AP