CRI听力:John Nash, Wife, 'A Beautiful Mind' Inspiration, Die in NJ

Mathematical master John Nash, the man whose struggle with schizophrenia was chronicled in the 2001 Oscar-winning movie "A Beautiful Mind," has been killed, along with his wife, in a car crash in the US state of New Jersey.

CRI's New York correspondent Su Yi has more.

Police say 86-year-old Nash and 82-year-old Alicia were killed in a crash on the New Jersey turnpike on Saturday while taking a cab home from the airport.

Known as brilliant and eccentric, Nash worked with Princeton University for many years, most recently serving as a senior research mathematician.

He won the Nobel Prize in economics in 1994 for his work in game theory, which has offered insight into the dynamics of human rivalries.

It is considered one of the most influential mathematical theories of the 20th century.

Born in Bluefield, West Virginia, Nash first studied in Pittsburgh before moving to Princeton.

His recommendation letter contained just one line: "This man is a genius."

Nash married Alicia Larde in 1957 shortly after publishing some of his theories.

He developed severe schizophrenia soon after, and was put under psychiatric care several times.

The couple divorced in 1962.

However, the two stayed close.

And through treatment, Nash's condition began to improve by the 1980s.

The couple remarried in 2001.

His struggles, as well as his brilliance in mathematics were chronicled in the 2001 film "A Beautiful Mind."

The film won four Oscars, including best picture and best director, and generated renewed interest in John Nash's life story.

Russell Crowe, who portrayed Nash in the film, has tweeted he is "stunned" by Nash's death.

His co-star in the film, Jennifer Connelly, who portrayed Alicia, has called the couple "an inspiration."

"A Beautiful Mind" director Ron Howard has tweeted saying "it was an honor telling part of their story."

For CRI, I'm Su Yi in New York.