'Barney Miller' star Ron Glass dies at 71

London [USA], Nov. 27 : Veteran TV actor Ron Glass, who is best known for his role in ' Barney Miller' sitcom from 1975 and as the spiritual Shepherd Derrial Book in ' Firefly', died on November 25 aged 71.

The Indiana-born performer, who starred in countless television shows throughout his career - including 'Friends', ' Star Trek' and 'CSI', is thought to have passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home, reports the Mirror.

As for reasons of the 'Serenity' star's death, there is speculation that he was suffering from respiratory problems.

Naturally, the news has shocked members of the Buddhist community in California, of which he was a prominent figure.

Sharing the news on Facebook, one friend wrote, "My Buddhist Brother and Friend, Ron Glass passed last night. I had called him 11/15/16 to find out how is doing since it's been a few months since I had see him last and his nurse said he was not up to talking. I called back on 11/16/16 and said to the nurse: let him know that I love him and really care."

He added, "Next, I called Ron Carter, for him to find out for me how is Ron is doing. Thinking that this could be a man thing. He text me at 2:33 AM this morning of his passing."

Responding to the sad news, another friend wrote, "He was such a wonderful leader in LA while I was there. warmth, humanity, humility, good natured, funny.... he was one who always left his celebrity at the door and really brought Buddhism alive through his behavior. godspeed, brother!"

Glass had appeared in 'Star trek: Voyager' and 'Rugrats' and starred in two episodes of the popular TV series ' Friends' as Ross Geller's divorce lawyer, Russell in 1999. (ANI)