Zalman King - Actor Profile

Zalman King

Directing
Updated: Apr 14, 2026
23Total Films
8.5 Highest Rated
Born: May 23, 1942
Birth Place: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

About Zalman King

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Zalman King (born Zalman King Lefkowitz; May 23, 1942 – February 3, 2012) was an American film director, writer, actor and producer. His films are known for incorporating sexuality, and are often categorized as erotica. He was born Zalman Lefkovitz in Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. As a young man in 1963 he played a gang member on Alfred Hitchcock Presents ("Memo from Purgatory" written by Harlan Ellison) with James Caan and Walter Koenig. In 1967 he played the outlaw Muley in "Muley", an episode of the TV show Gunsmoke. His character shoots Marshall Matt Dillon as part of a plan to rob the Dodge City Bank, but as he and his gang are waiting for Dillon to recover (so they can try again to kill him), Muley falls in love with one of the girls at the Long Branch Saloon, which thwarts the plan. From September 1970 until May 1971, King played attorney Aaron Silverman on the drama The Young Lawyers, broadcast on the ABC television network. King later contributed a unique delivery to Trip with the Teacher (1975), portraying the psychopathic Al, a narcoleptic murdering motorbiker. King has directed several commercially successful films, including Two Moon Junction (1988), Wild Orchid (1990), and Red Shoe Diaries (1992), which became a long-running television series for Showtime network. It spawned many sequels. He is perhaps best known for his collaboration with director Adrian Lyne on the film 9½ Weeks which starred Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. He produced (and usually directed) the television series and film ChromiumBlue.com and Showtime series Body Language. He appeared in Lee Grant's directorial debut feature film Tell Me a Riddle. Other work as director includes the 1995 film Delta of Venus based on the book by Anaïs Nin and starring Audie England. The film about an American girl living in Paris in 1939 is in many ways reminiscent of European art house films where erotica forms a centerpiece to a plot which is nevertheless about greater issues. He is married to writer/producer Patricia Louisianna Knop. They have collaborated on many projects, such as writing Wild Orchid, Delta of Venus and 9½ Weeks as well as many episodes of Red Shoe Diaries. They have two daughters, Chloe King and Gillian Lefkowitz. Description above from the Wikipedia article Zalman King, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Zalman King Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Zalman King reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 23 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Zalman King's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 9% of Zalman King's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Zalman King Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Zalman King's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Zalman King has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

Zalman King - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Zalman King?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Zalman King is "You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat" with a rating of 8.5/10.

How many movies has Zalman King acted in?

Zalman King has been featured in at least 23 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Zalman King?

Other notable films include "The Beaches of Agnès", "Smile Jenny, You're Dead", and "Playboy: The Story of X".

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