STAR TREK Writer Michael Piller, 57, Dies
November 3rd, 2005
LOS ANGELES -- Michael Piller, a writer and producer best known as one of the creative forces behind the ``Star Trek'' television franchise, whose scripts brought a human touch to the intergalactic saga, has died. He was 57. Piller died Tuesday of cancer at his home in Los Angeles, his family said.
The first episode Piller wrote in 1989 for the syndicated ``Star Trek: The Next Generation'' revealed a love for baseball and a knack for creating morality plays set in the 24th century that resonated with viewers.
When ``Star Trek'' creator Gene Roddenberry asked Piller to become a staff writer, Piller recalled being scared and saying, ``I don't know anything about sci-fi, but I can help your characters evolve,'' he told StarTrek.com.
Rick Berman, executive producer of the ``Star Trek'' series, said in a statement, ``Michael had more integrity than just about anyone I have ever met. His passion for writing and his ability to recognize and nurture talent in others never faltered.'' (Berman took over the series after Roddenberry's death in 1991.)
Eventually, Piller became the head writer and executive producer of ``Star Trek: The Next Generation, '' which aired until 1994. He co-created and produced the syndicated ``Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' from 1992 to 1995 and UPN's ``Star Trek: Voyager'' from 1994 to 1996.
He also wrote the 1998 film ``Star Trek: Insurrection.''
In 1999, Piller formed a production company with his son, Shawn, called Piller2. ``I'm at an age in this town that it gets harder and harder to get attention,'' Piller told the Hollywood Reporter in 2002. ``I bring Shawn with me into the room and suddenly our median age is somewhere in the 30s, and that means a lot.''
Their first project was the TV show ``The Dead Zone,'' based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, which debuted on the USA Network in 2002 and remains on the air.
Known for encouraging young writers, Piller donated $500,000 to help launch a screenwriting program at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He said the ``Southern voice'' was much needed in Hollywood.
In addition to his son, Shawn, Piller is survived by his wife Sandra and daughter Brent.
Source: LA Times
The first episode Piller wrote in 1989 for the syndicated ``Star Trek: The Next Generation'' revealed a love for baseball and a knack for creating morality plays set in the 24th century that resonated with viewers.
When ``Star Trek'' creator Gene Roddenberry asked Piller to become a staff writer, Piller recalled being scared and saying, ``I don't know anything about sci-fi, but I can help your characters evolve,'' he told StarTrek.com.
Rick Berman, executive producer of the ``Star Trek'' series, said in a statement, ``Michael had more integrity than just about anyone I have ever met. His passion for writing and his ability to recognize and nurture talent in others never faltered.'' (Berman took over the series after Roddenberry's death in 1991.)
Eventually, Piller became the head writer and executive producer of ``Star Trek: The Next Generation, '' which aired until 1994. He co-created and produced the syndicated ``Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' from 1992 to 1995 and UPN's ``Star Trek: Voyager'' from 1994 to 1996.
He also wrote the 1998 film ``Star Trek: Insurrection.''
In 1999, Piller formed a production company with his son, Shawn, called Piller2. ``I'm at an age in this town that it gets harder and harder to get attention,'' Piller told the Hollywood Reporter in 2002. ``I bring Shawn with me into the room and suddenly our median age is somewhere in the 30s, and that means a lot.''
Their first project was the TV show ``The Dead Zone,'' based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, which debuted on the USA Network in 2002 and remains on the air.
Known for encouraging young writers, Piller donated $500,000 to help launch a screenwriting program at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He said the ``Southern voice'' was much needed in Hollywood.
In addition to his son, Shawn, Piller is survived by his wife Sandra and daughter Brent.
Source: LA Times
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