Bob Guccione

Bob Guccione, notorious and infamous founder of Penthouse magazine, passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 79.
Viewed by many as a smuttier version of Hugh Hefner, the controversial Guccione was a pioneer of the American porn industry. Starting the magazine in 1965 to subsidize his own art career, he served as its original photographer and editor. Over the course of his reign as publisher, it is estimated the magazine garnered in excess of 4 billion dollars total. He was also a prime investor in the cult-hit film, 1979's Caligula, starring Malcolm McDowell, Peter O'Toole, and Helen Mirren.
It is believed that he died from lung cancer.

Alan Moore once said that the only difference between pornography and erotica is the bank account of the audience. Think what you will of Guccione's publishing career, but the man was an original, fiery spirit through and through.