The filmmaker who became known as the “godfather of gore” has died. The AP reports that Herschell Gordon Lewis died in his sleep this morning. He was 87.

Lewis pioneered the horror genre known as the “splatter film” in the 1960s, with “Blood Feast” and “Two Thousand Maniacs” among his best-known directorial efforts.

Lewis, who also worked in advertising, financed most of his own films. His other movies included “A Taste of Blood,” ”The Wizard of Gore,” ”The Gruesome Twosome,” ”She-Devils on Wheels” and “Scum of the Earth!”

He is said to have inspired filmmakers including John Waters, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino and James Gunn.