Known for his experimental film shorts in the 1940s and '50s, Harrington, who never fully recovered from a 2005 stroke, died Sunday.

Harrington was an associate producer at 20th Century Fox when he directed his first feature film, "Night Tide," a 1961 release starring Dennis Hopper in his first leading role, The Los Angeles Times said.

"He's always been a dear friend through the years," Hopper told the Times, who "allowed me all the freedom that I wanted; he was very gracious."

Among Harrington's films are "Games," a psychological thriller with Simone Signoret, James Caan and Katharine Ross; "What's the Matter With Helen?," a horror film featuring Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters, and "The Killing Kind," which explored a psychopath's mind starring Ann Sothern and John Savage.

Harrington also directed for the small screen, overseeing episodes for the popular TV series and made-for-TV movies.

In 2002, Harrington directed and starred in "Usher," a 38-minute film based on the Edgar Allen Poe story.