Legendary U.S. pornographic film "Deep Throat" star Harry Reems has died from organ failure, aged 65, reports said Wednesday.

The news of the iconic adult film actor's death was broken by a close friend who was reportedly by his side when the actor passed away in a hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. The actor checked into the hospital on March 5 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and fell into a coma last week, according to reports.

Born Herbert Streicher in Manhattan, Reems pursued an acting career in off-Broadway theater after he served a brief term in the Marines. In 1972, Reems was cast opposite Linda Lovelace in the cult pornographic hit "Deep Throat".

The film, known as one of the first pornographic films to feature a plot, character development and relatively high production standards, launched the "porno chic" trend despite the fact that it was banned in some regions and its subject of obscenity trials. In 1976, Reems was indicted for conspiracy to distribute obscenity across state lines, and became the first actor who had ever been prosecuted by the federal government on obscenity charges.

After appearing in more than 100 adult films including "The Devil in Miss Jones", "Forced Entry" and "Sex Wish", Reems tried in vain to turn to traditional acting. He moved to Park City, Utah, in late 1980s and became a successful real estate broker.

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