Filmmaker Chuck Vincent began his career in hardcore pornography, where he quickly ascended to being one of the most acclaimed directors in the Golden Age of theatrical X-rated movies.

Along with early Gerard Damiano and Henry Paris (the full-penetration nom-de-poon of Radley Metzger), Chuck Vincent earned a place for his name above a film’s title. Vincent’s Roommates even played arthouses and was praised by mainstream critic Judith Crist.

But it is for his R-rated sex romps that most fans remember Chuck Vincent, especially his singularly lunatic comedies on the order of Preppies, Hollywood Hot Tubs, C.O.D., and New York’s Finest. Aside from his laff-fests, Vincent also helmed Warrior Queen, Deranged, and Bedroom Eyes II.

Vincent’s muse, in both the hard-and-soft-core arenas, was XXX legend Veronica Hart.

Despite his adoration of the naked female form, Chuck Vincent was homosexual and, tragically, we lost him to AIDS on this date in 1991. Long may his movies turn the world on.