UPDATE 11.10.05: Hollywood trade papers
Daily Variety and
The Hollywood Reporter have printed a number of full-page tributes to Michael Piller in their November 10 issues. CBS/Paramount honored Piller as "A creative visionary who has left an indelible mark on television" (picture on left). Lions Gate Television called him "An extraordinary storyteller and cherished friend, who inspired all of us who knew him." The cast members of
Wildfire said he was "One of the good ones. He inspired us and changed our lives. We'll miss him." Other tributes came from USA Network, ABC Family, and the cast and crew of
The Dead Zone.
Michael Piller, best known to television viewers around the world as the executive producer/co-creator of more than 500 hours of
Star Trek, lost his long battle with an aggressive form of head & neck cancer on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 4:51 a.m. at his home in Los Angeles. He was 57. He is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Brent and son Shawn.
Michael served as creative consultant for Star Trek: Voyager, which he co-created, until the series concluded in May 2001. He also co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and served as executive producer on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1989-1994), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1992-1995) and Star Trek: Voyager (1994-1996). During the 1994-95 television season, Michael also co-created and executive produced the UPN network series Legend.
In 1998, he wrote and co-produced "Star Trek: Insurrection," the ninth installment in the enormously successful Star Trek feature film franchise for Paramount Pictures.
In 1999, Michael partnered with his son Shawn Piller to form Piller2, Inc., a Hollywood-based production company where they developed and produced new television and motion picture properties. The father/son duo are also the co-creators of USA Network's top-rated cable drama series The Dead Zone, and the ABC Family Channel's Wildfire.
Michael, in addition to serving on the Advisory Board for the Department of Communications Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, gave a major grant to his alma mater to help launch a nationally distinctive screenwriting program.
With Michael Piller at the helm of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the show became the first syndicated series in the 90's to receive an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continued the success of the franchise during its seven seasons on the air. Star Trek: Voyager also ran for seven seasons.
An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Michael began his broadcasting career with CBS News in New York. He subsequently served as managing editor of the WBTV-TV News in Charlotte, North Carolina, and assistant news director at WBBM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Chicago.
His first position in entertainment television was as a censor in the CBS docudrama unit. Piller then spent two years as a programming executive before leaving CBS to write full-time.
Michael's credits as a writer-producer include the series Simon & Simon, Cagney & Lacey, Miami Vice, Probe, and Hard Time on Planet Earth. In addition, he co-created and executive produced the syndicated series Group One Medical.
A public memorial service will be held Sunday, November 13, at 1:15 p.m. at:
Temple Israel of Hollywood
7300 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
There will be valet parking and a reception to follow at the same location.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Michael's honor can do so at his cherished school, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:
The Michael Piller Distinguished Professorship at Carolina
Writing for the Screen and Stage Program
Arts and Sciences Foundation, Inc.
c/o Emily Stevens
134 East Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 843-5285
Thanks to Eric Stillwell
The Los Angeles Times obituary can be found at this link.
Tributes to Michael Piller begin on page 2 of this article. We will continue adding to them as they come in.
