'Star Trek's' Michael Piller dead at 57

"Star Trek" spinoff creator Michael Piller has died of cancer at his Los Angeles home at the age of 57.

The executive producer and co-creator of "Star Trek: Voyager," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and the Emmy-nominated "Star Trek: The Next Generation" died Tuesday after a long battle with head and neck cancer, Startrek.com reported.

For the big screen, Piller co-wrote and produced Paramount Pictures' ninth installment in its series, "Star Trek: Insurrection."

Piller and his son, Shawn, formed the Hollywood production company Pillar2, Inc., and they co-created USA Network's "The Dead Zone" as well as the ABC Family Channel's original series "Wildfire."

Piller also served as a writer/producer for TV's "Simon & Simon," "Cagney & Lacey," "Miami Vice," "Probe," "Hard Time on Planet Earth" and the syndicated "Group One Medical."

In addition to his son, Piller is survived by his wife, Sandra, and daughter, Brent.

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