The man responsible for horror flicks such as Satan's Slave, Prey and Terror has died at the age of 78.
Film world voice have been paying tribute to Norman J Warren, the director behind a film career that spanned decades and included works such as Inseminoid and Bloody New Year.
He has been remembered as a "groundbreaking" star within the industry, as well as a "gentle, kind, sweet chap" by those close to him.
He was also popular with children, due to his "lovely, easy going" nature.
Manager and friend Thomas Bowington broke the sad news to PA News Agency, confirming that he had died in the early hours of Thursday morning from natural causes.
Mr Bowington statement read: "He was a ground breaking director in the 70s and 80s, after so many films had been in a period setting, he put horror in a more modern setting.
"He was the biggest film lover I ever met, he loved films and was so helpful young film makers.
"He was always happy, always laughing, always kind.
"Considering some of his films were quite savage, a gentler, kinder, sweet chap you couldn't find, he was like everyone's best friend."
Norman's films were often referred to as "New Wave" in British horror, but in the 1980s he turned his attention toward documentaries and educational films, including for the BBC.
He had worked frequently screenwriter David McGillivray, who said of his late friend: "Norman J Warren was my best friend in the entertainment business.
"We met in 1967 when he was making his first feature My Private Hell.
"He was the youngest director of 'sexploitation' films in the 60s and went on to try other genres until the 1980s.
"Subsequently his early films have become cult successes.
"He liked nothing more than to attend festivals and convention and talk to fans and young filmmakers and help to prepare for DVD releases."
