Tom Clancy Dies: Author of Best-Selling Military Thrillers Was 66

Tom Clancy, the American writer who started out as a best-selling military thriller author and later created a video game empire, died Tuesday night at a Baltimore hospital. He was 66.

Publisher Penguin Group (USA) confirmed Clancy's passing but did not provide a cause of death.

We are saddened by the passing of beloved bestselling author Tom Clancy. Fans worldwide, including us, will miss him greatly.

— Penguin Books USA (@penguinusa) October 2, 2013

Clancy was a steadfast conservative who spoke his mind. Clancy often credited President Ronald Reagan with first putting him on the New York Times best-seller list. The president reportedly once quipped that he was losing sleep because he couldn’t put down Clancy's first novel — 1984's "The Hunt for Red October."

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Born in Baltimore on April 12, 1947, Clancy went on to graduate from Loyola College with a degree in English. He got his start as an insurance salesman before making a name for himself as an author.

Clancy penned many a best-seller, including "Patriot Games," "Clear and Present Danger," and "The Sum of All Fears" – all of which were later turned into major motion pictures.

"He was a consummate author, creating the modern-day thriller, and was one of the most visionary storytellers of our time," Penguin Group (USA)'s executive David Shanks said in a statement Wednesday.

In 1996, he co-founded the video game developer Red Storm Entertainment, and his name appeared on many of the company's games, including Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon.

Clancy was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association and also a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles, according to the New York Times.

Clancy's fans took to Twitter to remember the author Wednesday.

With great sadness, I must report that the great author #TOM CLANCY & my friend has passed away. Blessings to his FAMILY. RIP Tom

— Ellis A. Cohen (@MoviesNews) October 2, 2013

Just found out that Tom Clancy died. He was one of my favorite authors. Rest in Peace Tom. #TomClancy

— Taylor Darcy (@thetaylordarcy) October 2, 2013

RIP Tom Clancy. Some of the best pageturners ever written. One of the few things my dad and I have ever agreed upon—and bonded over.

— leagoldman (@leagoldman) October 2, 2013

Tom Clancy's books were a breath of fresh air in the espionage and military fiction genres, a leading name in his field. RIP good sir.

— Ben Tumilty (@TumoLPK) October 2, 2013

Truly sorry to hear of the passing of Tom Clancy. One of my all-time favorite authors for many years, and an inspiration to my own writing.

— Steve Umstead (@SteveUmstead) October 2, 2013

Sad to hear of the passing of Tom Clancy; a brilliant man and an incredibly talented writer who never lost his hunger to learn.

— Kelly Brouillet (@K2theBru) October 2, 2013

RIP Tom Clancy. A hugely successful author who obviously made a big impression on gaming as well.

— Will O'Neill (@willoneill) October 2, 2013

RIP Tom Clancy. Tanks, not only for the books, but spawning awesome video games like @SplinterCell #RIPTomClancy #SplinterCell

— Momin Qureshi (@Momin680News) October 2, 2013

Clancy's last project, "Command Authority," is scheduled to be published in December, The Huffington Post reported. 

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