Star Trek writer dies at home

LOS ANGELES - Michael Piller, "Star Trek" veteran and co-creator/executive producer of USA Network's hit series "The Dead Zone," died early Tuesday at his Los Angeles home after a long battle with cancer. He was 57.

Before co-creating "The Dead Zone" with his son Shawn, Piller was head writer on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," leading the show to a best drama Emmy nomination in 1994, the first for a syndicated series. He went on to co-create the following two "Trek" installments, "Deep Space Nine" and "Voyager." Both series ran for seven seasons.

In 1998, Piller wrote and co-produced "Star Trek: Insurrection," the ninth installment in Paramount Pictures' successful Star Trek feature franchise.

Piller began his career in broadcasting, working for TV stations in Charlotte, N.C., and Chicago.

- REUTERS