Tom Clancy (1947-2013) Dead at 66

Tom Clancy, author of multiple bestselling espionage and military thrillers has passed away. He died near his home in Baltimore, Maryland. Clancy was 66 years-old at the time.

Clancy redefined his genre and elevated it to the next level. His death comes on the heels of the passing of Elmore Leonard (six weeks ago). Like his contemporaries Leonard, Michael Crichton and John Grisham, his popular books were adapted into multiple blockbuster films. His character Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst, was the central character in the film adaptations of The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and The Sum of All Fears.

The Jack Ryan film franchise has featured many actors who have portrayed the American hero. Alec Baldwin as Ryan, in the Cold War dramatic thriller, chased the Soviet naval captain played by Sean Connery in Red October. Harrison Ford took over as Ryan in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. The Sum of All Fears with Ben Affleck focused on a younger Jack Ryan. Chris Pine will star in the forthcoming movie Jack Ryan: Shadow One.

The character John Clark, ex-Navy SEAL and operative, was also a Clancy fan favorite.

Tom Clancy also infiltrated other realms of pop culture including video games. He was the John Madden of spy and black ops first-person shooter video games. Co-founding Red Storm Entertainment (now Ubisoft Red Storm), he helped develop the game series Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell; which are hallmark brands of his merchandise and media empire.

Tom Clancy is survived by his wife, Alexandra, their daughter, Alexis, and four children from his previous marriage to Wanda King: Michelle Bandy, Christine Blocksidge, Kathleen Clancy and Thomas Clancy III. Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.

–@teemunny

• The New York Times: Tom Clancy, Best-Selling Master of Military Thrillers, Dies at 66
• Los Angeles Times: Tom Clancy dies at 66; insurance agent found his calling in spy thrillers
• NPR: Tom Clancy Dies, Left ‘Indelible Mark’ On Thriller Genre (audio)
• CNN: Author Tom Clancy, master of the modern-day thriller, dead at 66
• The Huffington Post: Tom Clancy Dead: Bestselling Author Dies At 66