Nesmith was best known as a member of the US pop quartet who achieved international fame in the 1960s but was also a successful novelist and businessman.

"With Infinite Love we announce that Michael Nesmith has passed away this morning in his home, surrounded by family, peacefully and of natural causes," a statement from his family said.

"We ask that you respect our privacy at this time and we thank you for the love and light that all of you have shown him and us."

Along with vocalist Davy Jones, drummer Micky Dolenz and bassist Peter Tork, Nesmith recorded some of the decade's most enduring songs including I'm A Believer, Daydream Believer and Last Train To Clarksville.

He also appeared in the group's successful self-titled television series which first aired between 1966 and 1968.

Nesmith was hailed as an "underrated, talented musician, songwriter and video artist" by musician Midge Ure on Twitter.

After the band's break-up, Nesmith continued his music career as a member of country rock group First National Band and as a solo artist.

He later worked as a filmmaker and won the first ever Grammy Award awarded for video of the year in 1981 for hour-long television show Elephant Parts.

Nesmith was also the executive producer of the cult sci-fi comedy film Repo Man, which starred Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton in 1984.

His death comes almost three years after bandmate Peter Tork, best known as the keyboardist and bassist in the quartet, "passed peacefully" at the age of 77.

The Monkees' British-born member Davy Jones died in 2012 at the age of 66.

Australian Associated Press