Emmy Award-winning actor and writer Kevin Arkadie has died at age 68. Arkadie, who worked on some of the most popular shows on TV, died on Dec. 17, but the cause of his death is unknown at this time, according to Deadline.

Kevin Arkadi helped create ‘New York Undercover’

Arkadie is also celebrated for his roles on Chicago Hope, NYPD Blue and The Shield. More recently, he wrote the hit BET shows Sacrifice and The Quad. Adding to his decorated resume, Arkadie wrote the NBC mini-series The Temptations, which tells the story of the beloved Motown group.

In the 90s, Arkadie was nominated for two Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series after producing Chicago Hope and NYPD Blue. In 2006, he won a Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Children’s Episodic & Specials for Miracle’s Boys.

“Kevin was a tremendous talent and a trailblazer. More importantly he was a beautiful person and a friend. His impact on television will not be forgotten, nor will his impact on the lives of those who loved him. He will be greatly missed,” Stan Spry, who was Arkadie’s manager, said in a statement, according to Deadline.

In a statement received by Blavity’s Shadow and Act, Tony Award-winning producer Lamar Richardson said, “Rest in eternal peace to this icon, Kevin Arkadie. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news and extend our sincerest condolences to his family and all those who knew and loved him. Kevin was the first showrunner to sign on to one of our TV projects at Ivy Lion, and we spent a lot of time with him developing and pitching together this year. He was a consummate professional, true collaborator, and astute researcher. Everything was always in service of telling the best story. It’s not lost on us that he was willing to say yes to a young production company and newer writer in an industry where first chances are seldom given freely. It was important to him to invest in the next generation of diverse voices, and we are extremely grateful to have partnered with him. He was a true team player who was never afraid to have tough conversations, and we’ll remember that he always led with respect and deference. We’ll cherish the time we spent with him and will forever say his name. May flights of angels sing him to sweet rest, and may his soul rest in peace. His mark on his industry will truly never be forgotten.”

How did Kevin Arkadie get his start in entertainment?

Arkadie, who was born in Washington D.C., later moved to Maryland, then Dallas. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas before studying film at Southern Methodist University.

Later on, Arkadie switched his major to theater and graduated with a BFA in acting. He earned his first major role on TV when he worked on the ABC drama Knightwatch.

Outside of his job, Arkadie loved cycling and photography. As Deadline reported, Arkadie once told his wife about how much he appreciates his life and how proud he is of the challenges he overcame.

“If everything ended today, I did good. … Mine is a long story of success, but even so, I still took it up the ass more than I wanted,” he reportdly told his wife.