Jack Wrangler, gay porn idol, dead at 62

NEW YORK – The 1970s gay porn idol Jack Wrangler has died at age 62.

Lewis Tice, director of publicity and marketing for TLA Releasing, a distributor of gay-themed independent films, says Wrangler died in New York City of complications of lung disease.

Wrangler starred in numerous gay adult movies and went on to become a musical theater performer. His life was chronicled in last fall’s documentary “Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon.”

Tice says Wrangler starred in more than 80 adult films beginning in the 1970s.

Wrangler later married pop vocalist Margaret Whiting, who survives him.