Peter Keefe, VOLTRON producer, has died at the age of 57, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. He was suffering of throat cancer and passed away in Rochester, New York at his sister's home.

Over his two decades career, Keefe created, produced and sold 300 hours of kids' and family entertainment.

In the 1980s, he gained fame by creating VOLTRON by combining the anime series GO LION and DIERUGGER. The series was the #1 kids programming in 1984 and 1985.

Keefe and Brian Lacey created Zodiac Ent. in 1989, which was a joint company with U.K.-based Central Independent Television. The company produced WIDGET, THE MR. BOGUS SHOW and TWINKLE.

His other credits include DENVER, THE LAST DINOSAUR, SABER RIDER AND THE STAR SHERIFFS and NINE DOG CHRISTMAS. He had Z-FORCE (ZODIAC FORCE) in development at the time of his death.

Keefe started his career as a TV movie critic for a St. Louis-based PBS station. He was named VP and exec producer of World Events Prods. in 1983.

His wife, Pamela Mills Keefe; his mother, Anne Keefe; his stepson, James; and five siblings, sisters Lisa, Kittie and Mollie and brothers Tony and Chris survived him.