Veteran television director, writer and producer Ralph W. Hemecker, known for his work on shows such as “The X-Files,” “Blue Bloods,” “Once Upon a Time” and “The Flash,” has died. He was 65 years old.

According to an obituary, Hemecker died on July 10 at his home in Glendale, California. Hemecker’s credits over the years also include “Millennium,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “Numb3rs,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Nikita,” “V” and many more. He directed the Fox pilot “Roar,” starring a then-unknown Heath Ledger, as well as the pilots for “Lawless” and “Dead at 21.”

Ralph William Hemecker was born on June 12, 1961 and studied English at Bucknell University, where he was already making short films. He later took film classes at New York University.

Hemecker began his career in production and post-production, initially directing Fox’s “America’s Most Wanted.” He also gained early experience on the syndicated series “Silk Stalkings,” for which he later directed episodes, as well as Stephen J. Cannell’s “Renegade.”

Another big break came in 2000, when he directed the TNT TV comic book film adaptation “Witchblade,” executive produced by Dan Halsted and Oliver Stone. That became the television series “Witchblade,” on which he worked as showrunner, executive producer and writer for two seasons, from 2001 to 2002.

Among his busiest jobs are directing 31 episodes of “Blue Bloods” and 28 episodes of “Once Upon a Time.”

“Some losses are impossible to put into words,” “Once Upon a Time” star Lana Parilla wrote on Instagram. “Ralph Hemecker was one of the kindest and most generous souls I have ever met. One of the most important directors of ‘Once Upon a Time’. A truly passionate and beautiful man, and my dear friend. I was lucky enough to follow Ralph as a director, as he knew ‘Once Upon a Time’ best, behind the camera. He always had a camera in his hand, staying up all night in the director’s office putting together his shots, studying the scripts and endlessly visiting the sets in preparation. His passion was contagious. I always knew that if Ralph led, we were in good hands.”

Wrote “Once” executive producers Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis: “Ralph Hemecker was a great friend, partner and true artist. His contribution to ‘Once Upon a Time’ was immeasurable and he will be missed more than words can express.”

Hemecker also directed feature films and television movies such as “Dead On,” “Blade Squad,” “Haunting Sarah,” “Fatal Desire,” “Nora Roberts’ Angels Fall,” “Nora Roberts’ Midnight Bayou” and “Skyrunners.” He launched Mythic Films in 2000.

Hemecker is survived by two stepdaughters, as well as his father, his sister, his brother, three nephews, a niece and a great-nephew. Services will be announced at a later date.