Television writer-producer Zack Estrin has died suddenly at the age of 51.
He was best known for his work as the executive producer and showrunner on hit show Lost In Space and co-executive producer on Prison Break.
Estrin died on September 23 in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, his family has confirmed.
They released a statement calling him their "everything". It read: "The best husband, father, son and friend. He loved to make everyone happy. He loved to make everyone laugh. He loved being a writer/producer and being a part of creating these shows that people enjoyed.
"But above all, he loved his family and friends. Thank you all for being a part of his life and ours."
His death is said to be a shock as he was known to have been in good physical health and no cause of death was immediately revealed. However, it's believed he suffered from cardiac arrest while jogging.
His longtime talent agency WME paid tribute to him on Sunday in a statement by the company's president, Ari Greenburg, who said : "Zack was our client for nearly 25 years.
"He had a tremendously successful career and mentored so many writers. We are so proud of all his accomplishments and feel blessed to have called him a friend."
As well Lost In Space and Prison Break, Estrin worked on popular shows such as Charmed, Dawson's Creek and Tru Calling. He spent four seasons in the senior role on Prison Break and Matt Olmstead, who worked alongside him on the show, called him "one of a kind" in a tribute shared with Variety.
"He was an amazing writer, equally gifted with dialogue and structure," he said. "What made him a great showrunner is that he attracted the right people. Writers wanted to work with him, and give him their best. Executives liked him as much as writers assistants. He was a unifier.
"And that was a direct reflection of how kind, supportive, encouraging and optimistic he was. If your phone buzzed and you looked down and saw it was Zack calling, you’d smile. He was one of a kind."
Among Estrin's survivors are his dad, veteran TV writer Jonathan Estrin. Other survivors include his wife, Kari, his daughters, Charlotte and Chloe, and his mum, Patricia.
