Jurassic Park author ER creator Michael Crichton

[Di]

Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton has died at 66 after losing his battle with cancer.

Article here

His death was revealed in a message to fans posted on his website today.

Crighton was a best-selling author who created popular TV drama ER.

Crichton died in Los Angeles on November 5, his website said, after a private battle with cancer.

'Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand.' his family said in a statement.

'While the world knew him as a great story teller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us - and entertained us all while doing so - his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes.

'He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget.'

The Crichton family asked for privacy and said a private funeral service would be held for the author.

Crichton was born in Chicago on October 23, 1942 and wrote his first novels under pen names while attending Harvard Medical School.

The Andromeda Strain, which was published in 1969, became his first best-seller.

In addition to Jurassic Park and its sequel, The Lost World, which became blockbuster Hollywood films, Crichton's other books included Congo, The Terminal Man and State Of Fear.

His books have been translated into 36 languages, and 13 have been made into films. In 1996 he won an Emmy for ER, for which he also won a Peabody, and a Writer's Guild of America Award.

I was shcoked to here the news .. I love ER

[emmasi]

I heard this about two hours ago. I'm trying to stay offline to get some uni work done, but I had to comment on this. He was a great author. I watched ER years ago - the George Clooney era - and loved it. I rescued "Prey" from Mum's charity box because I saw his name on the cover and wanted to read it. I'm glad I did, it was excellent and informative. There's a whole chapter at the start about micro-technology. Fascinating stuff - he obviously loved science and did his research to make a good story out of it. I bought the books Jurassic Park and The Lost World at a second hand store just a few weeks ago. I haven't had time to read them yet, but the Jurassic Park DVD is in the player right now. It's been there for a couple of days. That movie is just... incredible, and it was Michael Crichton's imagination that made it possible.

This might be a strange thing to say, since I've only actually read one of his books, but I would count Michael Crichton as one of my favourite writers. I didn't even know he was sick. This news was a very sad shock for me. I guess that's 2008 for you...

RIP, Mr Crichton.

[Formerly Known as FKAJ]

It's sad - I never read any of his books, although I got about halfway through Jurassic Park before I lost track of it. But I loved the first of the movies, and the first couple of seasons of ER.

As soon as I have time, I'm watching the Jurassic Parks again. And possibly the Andromeda Strain.