Pieters made history in 1985 when Tammy Faye Bakker invited him to appear on her show, one of the very first national, longform interviews with an HIV-positive gay man.
Actress Jessica Chastain, who played Faye Bakker in the film, "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," made the announcement on Twitter.
Chastain tweeted out: "Steve Pieters was an inspiration and advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS for over 35 years," adding he "made a difference in the lives of so many."
Pieters reportedly battled various cancers over the last year.