reuters | Nash was awarded the Nobel Prize for economics in 1994 for his work on game theory and the mathematics of decision-making.
The film "A Beautiful Mind" was loosely based on his battle with schizophrenia.
Nash
received his Ph.D. from Princeton in 1950 and spent much of his career
there and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
He
began experiencing what he described as "mental disturbances" in 1959
after marrying Alicia, a MIT physics major who was then pregnant,
according to his biography on the Nobel Prize website.
"I was disturbed
in this way for a very long period of time, like 25 years," Nash said in
a 2004 video interview on the Nobel website.
He
stressed that his was an unusual case, as he was able eventually stop
taking medication and return to normal activities and his research.
The
2001 movie represented an "artistic" take on his experience, giving
insight into mental illness but not accurately portraying the nature of
his delusions, Nash said in the interview.
"John's remarkable
achievements inspired generations of mathematicians, economists and
scientists who were influenced by his brilliant, groundbreaking work in
game theory," Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber said
in a statement.
"The story of his
life with Alicia moved millions of readers and moviegoers who marveled
at their courage in the face of daunting challenges," he added.
Nash and his wife were living in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, New Jersey police said.
