Author Tom Clancy Dies at 66

Best-selling author Tom Clancy, who wrote thrillers including The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, died Tuesday at a Baltimore hospital, the New York Timesreports. He was 66. A cause of death was not immediately released Wednesday.

Born in Baltimore, Clancy graduated from Loyola College and ran an independent insurance agency before becoming an author. At the time of his death, he was part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles.

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Several of Clancy's political and military-themed books, featuring the heroes Jack Ryan and John Clark, were adapted into movies. The titles included The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games and The Sum of All Fears.

His most recent book was the Jack Ryan novel Threat Vector, which was released in 2012. His next book, Command Authority, is scheduled to be released in December.

Clancy is survived by his wife, Alexandra Marie Llewellyn, whom he married in 1999. He was married to his first wife, Wanda, from 1969 until their divorce in 1999.