Doctor Jack Kevorkian nicknamed Dr. Death died early this morning. Kevorkian was known as a crusader of mercy by some, and a murderer by others.

He died at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan where he was being treated for kidney and heart problems. He was 83 years old.

Kevorkian has sparked controversy over the years for assisting critically ill patients in the planing and execution of their own deaths. He viewed this practice as the ultimate act of mercy.

In 2010 an HBO television movie, You Don’t Know Jack, was produced documenting the life and practices of Dr. Kevorkian in which A-lister Al Pacino played the notorious Doctor.

The film was nominated for 15 Emmy Awards and won 2: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Movie or Mini-Series for Al Pacino, and Outstanding Writing for a Movie or Mini-series for Adam Mazer. Al Pacino also won a Golden Globe and an SAG Award for his performance.

In 1999 Kevorkian was convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to 10-25 years in prison. He was released in 2007. It is estimated that he assisted in 130 suicides.