Michael Piller, who co-created numerous Star Trek spin-off series and wrote the movie Star Trek: Insurrection, has died aged 57 from head and neck cancer. Mr Piller, who died at his Los Angeles home, co-created TV series Voyager and Deep Space Nine, the show's official website startrek.com said.
He was also executive producer on the TV series The Next Generation.
In 1998 he wrote and co-produced Star Trek: Insurrection, the ninth instalment in the hit film series.
Award-winning journalist
Before writing for Star Trek, Mr Piller was an Emmy award-winning journalist working on CBS News.
He began his entertainment career as a censor in the US network CBS' documentary drama unit, before leaving to write full-time.
Star Trek: The Next Generation starred Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and received an Emmy nomination for outstanding drama.
Subsequent spin-offs Deep Space Nine and Voyager ran for seven series each.
Mr Piller also acted as writer and producer on US police series Cagney and Lacey, and Miami Vice.
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