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Author Michael Crichton dies, 66 Author Michael Crichton dies, 66
(10 minutes later)
Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park has died, aged 66, after a "courageous and private battle against cancer," his family has said. Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park has died aged 66 after a "courageous and private battle against cancer", his family has said.
He penned the books Congo, Twister and the popular Jurassic Park trilogy, all of which were adapted into films.He penned the books Congo, Twister and the popular Jurassic Park trilogy, all of which were adapted into films.
He also created the long-running US hospital drama ER and his books have sold more than 150 million copies. His books have sold more than 150 million copies. He also created the long-running US hospital drama ER.
"He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched," his family said in a statement."He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched," his family said in a statement.
Crichton has won an Emmy, a Peabody, and a Writer's Guild of America Award for ER. A private funeral service is expected.
He became the toast of Hollywood when his 1971 novel The Andromeda Strain was turned into a film. A Harvard Medical School graduate, Crichton became the toast of Hollywood when his 1971 novel The Andromeda Strain was turned into a film.
Many of his novels and screenplays were adapted for cinema.
The most successful were the Jurassic Park trilogy, the first of which burst onto the screen in 1993, directed by Steven Spielberg.
ER has won a host of Emmys since it began in 1994, and helped launch the career of George Clooney.