It’s a sad day for fans of military thrillers and post-Cold War tales of modern espionage: best-selling author Tom Clancy reportedly passed away last night in a hospital in Baltimore. He was one of the most successful and well-known writers of the past few decades, having penned 17 novels that reached #1 on the New York Times best sellers list. His work also went on to inspire several successful movie and video game franchises including the Jack Ryan series and games like Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon. He was also sometimes seen as a controversial figure, a well-known Republican and supporter of the NRA. The cause of death was not specified, but Clancy was 66 years old.

Tom Clancy was working as an insurance salesman before he published his first book, The Hunt for Red October, in 1984. It became a huge hit thanks to a plug by U.S. president Ronald Reagan, who claimed he could not put the book down. In 1990, the book was turned into a successful movie starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin, followed soon after by Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger starring Harrison Ford.

Sadly, Clancy will not get to see the big screen reboot of his Jack Ryan series, Jack Ryan: Shadow One starring Chris Pine. The movie is currently scheduled for release on Dec. 25th. Still, I think it’s safe to say that his name will continue to live on for many years to come. What are your favourite Tom Clancy properties?