Ken Atchity, a book agent, film producer, and writer best known for "The Meg" movies, died Monday. He was 82, Variety reported.

Atchity made more than 30 films, wrote more than 20 books, struck publishing and film deals, and put out hundreds of titles through Story Merchant Books. With producing partner Chi-Li Wong he made "The Meg" and "The Meg 2: The Trench." Other credits include "Gambino," "The Kennedy Detail," "The Lost Valentine," "The Amityville Horror: The Evil Escapes," "Joe Somebody," and "Life or Something Like It," Variety said.

Before Hollywood he taught English and world literature at Occidental College for 17 years. He taught as a Fulbright professor in Bologna, started magazines, and won Occidental’s faculty award and a UCLA Writers Program teaching honor. He also worked as a phone engineer at AT&T Long Lines, where he helped design NASA’s Green Network that linked research centers. He later made the "Shades of Love" films for HBO and Cinemax with Warner Bros. distribution.

Born in Eunice, Louisiana, in 1944 and raised in Kansas City, he studied at Georgetown and earned advanced degrees at Yale. His thesis won a Yale prize and was published with a note by novelist John Gardner. He is survived by his wife, Kayoko Mitsumatsu; son Vincent; daughter Rosemary; five grandchildren; and sisters Mary Calhoun and Laurie Dressman. Donations may go to Yoga Gives Back, Variety said. Friends recalled him as a teacher who kept helping writers after he left school. Variety did not list a cause of death.

What we know: Atchity died Monday at 82. Variety details his Meg films and book career.
What we don't: Only Variety has reported this so far; NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation. Variety did not state a cause.