Tom Clancy Dead at 66: Popular Author Dies, Legacy Includes 'Splinter Cell' Video Games and Jack Ryan Movies/Novels

Author Tom Clancy passed away this week at the age of 66 years old. His publisher has confirmed his passing but a cause of death has not been released. Clancy's novels are known the world other.

Tom Clancy is easily one of the most recognized names in literature thanks to the popularity of a number of his books and the adaptations of them in the film, television and video game industries. He created the character Jack Ryan, which has been played in major motion pictures by Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin, and Ben Affleck. In fact, Clancy's character will be featured in a new film, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, featuring Star Trek's Chris Pine in the title role. In other words, Clancy's work will most likely last for a very long time after his death.

The New York Times reports:

Seventeen of his novels were No. 1 New York Times best sellers, including his most recent, "Threat Vector," which was released in December 2012. 

Mr. Clancy was an insurance salesman when he sold his first novel, "The Hunt for Red October," to the Naval Institute Press for only $5,000. 

After the book's publication in 1985, Mr. Clancy was praised for his mastery of technical details about Soviet submarines and weaponry. Even high-ranking members of the military took notice of the book's apparent inside knowledge.

In an interview in 1986, Mr. Clancy said, "When I met Navy Secretary John Lehman last year, the first thing he asked me about the book was, 'Who the hell cleared it?'"