Billed as the greatest loss to “Star Trek” since the death of Gene Roddenberry himself, Michael Pillar passed away at home this morning aged 57, after a long struggle against an aggressive form of neck and head cancer.
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.
Very unexpected this sad news. A real shame !
RIP Michael…
I had the rare pleasure of listening to Michael, his DP, Director, and his partner, Lloyd discuss concepts and script points as I drove them from place to place looking for the perfect locations and back and forth from hotels to studio.
He truly exemplified the dedication and focus that ressulted in the stellar work that he did in all his endeavors.
I believe his gifts to us of practical applications of philosphy to mundane situations have inspired many people to live in a more positive way.
My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Sean and the rest of his family, to Lloyd Segan and to the many people who worked and created with, a great one, Michael Pillar.
Go With God Michael.
Curt Martell, Founding Member,
Past President and Business Agent,
Teamsters Local 155,
Vancouver, BC.
I feel sorry for him and his family. He was a great man.
My husband and I are deeply saddened by Mr. Pillars death. We are such fans of the science fiction genre because it gives a message of hope or a deeper understanding of the events of our times, whether it be political, social, or environmental. Mr. Pillar is a genius and sci fi fans will surely miss his creativity. We just watched the season premiere of Dead Zone, it was dedicated to Michael. We were shocked to find out this very sad news.
I was glad to see they are honoring Mr. Pillar by continuing to produce Dead Zone.
It would have been a sadder had they simply cancelled it.
I hope they continue to use the Pillar2 ending of the show..
“yes,” “no,” “yes”, “no”, “you’re grounded!”
I too am saddened by learning of the loss of a creative mastermind in the Sci-Fi genre. Michael will be missed. I sure hope that The Dead Zone continues for many years, as a tribute to Michael!!