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| Author Michael Crichton dies, 66 | Author Michael Crichton dies, 66 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Best-selling author Michael Crichton has died in Los Angeles aged 66 after a "courageous and private battle against cancer", his family has said. | Best-selling author Michael Crichton has died in Los Angeles aged 66 after a "courageous and private battle against cancer", his family has said. |
| He penned Jurassic Park, as well as books like Congo and Disclosure, all of which were adapted into films. | He penned Jurassic Park, as well as books like Congo and Disclosure, all of which were adapted into films. |
| His books have sold more than 150 million copies. He also created the long-running US hospital TV 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. |
| A private funeral service is expected. | A private funeral service is expected. |
| Crichton is survived by his wife, Sherri, and daughter, Taylor. | Crichton is survived by his wife, Sherri, and daughter, Taylor. |
| Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park Steven Spielberg Send us your comments | Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park Steven Spielberg Send us your comments |
| The family's statement paid tribute to a "devoted husband, loving father and generous friend". | The family's statement paid tribute to a "devoted husband, loving father and generous friend". |
| It added: "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." | It added: "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." |
| 'Gentle soul' | 'Gentle soul' |
| "Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park," said filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who directed the blockbuster film version of that novel. | "Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park," said filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who directed the blockbuster film version of that novel. |
| "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth. | "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth. |
| CRICHTON'S BEST-KNOWN NOVELS Odds On (1966)The Andromeda Strain (1969)The Great Train Robbery (1975)Congo (1980)Jurassic Park (1990)Disclosure (1994)The Lost World (1995) - picturedTimeline (1999)State of Fear (2004)Next (2006) | CRICHTON'S BEST-KNOWN NOVELS Odds On (1966)The Andromeda Strain (1969)The Great Train Robbery (1975)Congo (1980)Jurassic Park (1990)Disclosure (1994)The Lost World (1995) - picturedTimeline (1999)State of Fear (2004)Next (2006) |
| "Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no-one in the wings that will ever take his place," he added. | "Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no-one in the wings that will ever take his place," he added. |
| A new Crichton novel had been scheduled to come out in the US next month. | A new Crichton novel had been scheduled to come out in the US next month. |
| Publisher HarperCollins said the book would now be postponed indefinitely. | Publisher HarperCollins said the book would now be postponed indefinitely. |
| A Harvard Medical School graduate, Chicago-born Crichton became the toast of Hollywood when his 1971 novel The Andromeda Strain was turned into a film. | A Harvard Medical School graduate, Chicago-born 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. | Many of his novels and screenplays were adapted for cinema. |
| The most successful were Jurassic Park, which burst onto the screen in 1993, and its sequel The Lost World. | The most successful were Jurassic Park, which burst onto the screen in 1993, and its sequel The Lost World. |
| ER has won a host of Emmys since it began in 1994, and helped launch the career of George Clooney. | ER has won a host of Emmys since it began in 1994, and helped launch the career of George Clooney. |
| Crichton's 2004 bestseller State of Fear caused controversy when it cast doubt on the dangers of global warming. | Crichton's 2004 bestseller State of Fear caused controversy when it cast doubt on the dangers of global warming. |
| Environmentalists said his novel was marring efforts to pass legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. | Environmentalists said his novel was marring efforts to pass legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. |