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500-pound actor known for low-budget movies dies in NY at 62

NEW YORK (AP) - Joe Fleishaker (FLY'-shay-kur), a 500-pound actor known for his work in low-budget horror films, has died. He was 62.

Dr. Haskel Fleishaker says his brother died Monday at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.

He says his brother had been in rehab facilities for several years after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He says Fleishaker was hospitalized last Friday and died unexpectedly Monday. The precise cause of death was not immediately known.

Fleishaker had appeared in several low-budget horror films, including playing the "The Toxic Avenger" in three Troma Productions films. He also made repeat appearances on the NBC comedy show "Late Night with David Letterman."

His brother says Fleishaker had worked as a computer programmer until about a decade ago.

A funeral service was held Tuesday.

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This story was corrected to show that the actor's funeral was held on Tuesday, not Monday.

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