"John had a long battle with cancer but faced that fight with dignity & a constant resolve not to be defeated," Bennett wrote on Instagram.
"On Spartacus John was hired as an extra but with a powerful presence & ever positive attitude amongst the cast & crew, won himself the speaking role of Rhaskos.
"I remember John most fondly for his huge grin & sparkle in his eye when he would welcome me & others onto set each day offering the Gladiatorial forearm handshake & acknowledging in his deep raspy voice, 'brother!'"
King also worked as a personal trainer and corrections officer.
A funeral was held on Friday in Auckland.
Spartacus star Andy Whitfield also died young after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010. He died in 2011 at age 39.
- RNZ
