'70s Porn Icon Jack Wrangler, 62

Legendary 70's porn actor Jack Wrangler has died at age 62.

Jack Wrangler, a ruggedly handsome 1970s porn star whose openness about his homosexuality made him a symbol of self-confidence for many gay men, has died. He was 62. Wrangler died Tuesday in Manhattan from complications of lung disease, said Lewis Tice, director of publicity and marketing for TLA Releasing, a distributor of gay-themed independent films. His life of sometimes surprising turns — he found decades-long love with big-band singer Margaret Whiting — was chronicled in the documentary "Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon," released last fall. "Jack Wrangler knew the power of image-making and inspired an entire generation to be comfortable in their own skin and to become the man of their dreams," said the film's director, Jeffrey Schwarz.

On how Wrangler met his wife:

In 1976, Wrangler met celebrated pop singer and film actress Margaret Whiting when she attended one of his one-man erotic shows in New York City, New York. As he later recalled, "I was with my manager when I looked over at Margaret, who was surrounded by five guys in a booth. There she was with the hair, the furs and the big gestures. I thought, 'Boy, now that's New York! That's glamour!' I had to meet her." When the couple first got together, Wrangler protested, "But I'm gay!" to which Whiting replied, "Only around the edges, dear."