'X-Files', 'Supernatural' director dies at 59

Kim Manners, the director and producer whose work includes The X-Files and Supernatural, has died at the age of 59.

Manners passed away from lung cancer in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Supernatural creator Eric Kripke said in a statement to Buddytv.com: "Everyone at Supernatural is walking around in a daze, shocked and absolutely devastated. Kim was a brilliant director; more than that, he was a mentor and friend.

"He was one of the patriarchs of the family, and we miss him desperately. He gave so much to Supernatural, and everything we do on the show, now and forever, is in memory of him."

Jim Beaver, who plays Bobby Singer on the CW show, described Manners "as one of the best friends and best directors [I've] ever known". His 17 Supernatural directing credits include the first and last episodes of every season.

Manners's career began in the late '70s on Charlie's Angels. He later received four Emmy nominations for outstanding drama series for The X-Files, a show he joined in 1995 as a producer and director.