Harry Reems has died at the age of 65 from pancreatic cancer, his wife Jean Reems told the Associated Press.

The actor co-starred in the first porn film ever to have mainstream American box office success, 1972's "Deep Throat."

Jean Reems claims that near the end of her husband's career Harry didn't enjoy making adult films, yet couldn't find another steady income source.

"He hated, at the end, doing porn," Jeanne Reems said. "It was all he could make money doing."

However, that was always the case for Reems.

In a 1982 interview with former Screw Magazine publisher Al Goldstein, Harry Reems said he enjoyed making the films, it was watching them he hated.

"I don't look at them," Harry said. "I don't know why you people [watch] them. They're boring. I'd rather make them then watch them."

Reems was hired as the lighting designer on "Deep Throat," but when the actor cast to play Linda Lovelace's doctor didn't pan out, Harry stepped in.

In the famous scene, Harry's character helps Lovelace with a problem concerning an overly sensitive part of her throat.

"['Deep Throat' was the first film to] drop any pretense that it had educational value," Harry told the AP in 2005. "There was no socially redeeming value, and so the word of mouth went out from people who saw it saying 'this is just a comedy. It's great. You've got to see this,'" Reems said.

"Deep Throat" lead actress Linda Lovelace died in 2005.

The film became a lightning rod for anti-obscenity activists after its unexpected success in the 1970s.

Harry Reems was convicted of obscenity for in 1976, was facing five years in prison. Several Hollywood celebrities turned up in Reems's defense at the trial, including Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty.

The conviction was overturned.

Harry Reems dies leaving behind a legacy of dozens of adult films, including "The Devil in Miss Jones."

In the 1980s, he left the adult film industry and moved to Park City, UT.

A judge placed Reems on five years' probation and ordered him to pay $35,000 in back taxes on movie earnings in 1989.

He had reportedly been hospitalized since March 5.

"He was very romantic and a great husband," Jean Reems said.

See Harry Reems's 1982 interview with former Screw Magazine publisher Al Goldstein RIGHT HERE: