StarTrek.com is saddened to report the passing of Miguel Ferrer, who died today, January 19, at the age of 61, succumbing to throat cancer. He died at home in Los Angeles and, according to People Magazine, was surrounded by family and friends. The actor, who was best known for his roles on NCIS: Los Angeles, Crossing Jordan, Twin Peaks, Mulan and RoboCop, made his mark on the Star Trek universe when he played the executive officer of the U.S.S. Excelsior in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

Born in Santa Monica, California, Ferrer was the son of actor Jose Ferrer and singer Rosemary Clooney. He initially gravitated toward music and, according to the Hollywood trade paper, Variety, performed with his mother, Bing Crosby and even Keith Moon of The Who. Ferrer also was part of a band, The Jenerators, with his good friend and fellow actor-musician (and Deep Space Nine guest star) Bill Mumy, who cast him in his first role, as a drummer, in the series Sunshine. By the early 1980s, Ferrer had set his sights on an acting career. He went on to appear on stage and in dozens upon dozens of films and television shows. Among his other credits were Magnum P.I., T.J. Hooker, Hot Shots! Part Deux!, Tales from the Crypt, The Night Flier, The Stand, Traffic, The Manchurian Candidate (the 2004 remake), Medium, Psych, Desperate Housewives and Iron Man 3.

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Ferrer’s gravelly voice – and few people could sound more intimidating than Ferrer – was heard in numerous animated films and shows, as well as videogames. Along with Mulan, his voiceover work included Superman: The Animated Series, Halo 2, Robot Chicken, The Batman, Rio 2 and Adventure Time, for which he voiced, ironically, Death.

Despite his illness, Ferrer continued to act until the very end of his life. In addition to filming episodes for the current season of NCIS: Los Angeles, Ferrer completed Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, an animated direct-to-video feature for which he’s voiced Deathstroke/Slade Wilson. He also reprised his Twin Peaks and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me role as pathologist Albert Rosenfeld in the upcoming Twin Peaks continuation.

Ferrer, per Variety, is survived by his wife, Lori; sons, Lukas, Rafi and Jose; and several brothers and sisters. Please join StarTrek.com in offering our condolences to Ferrer’s family, friends, colleagues and fans.