Michael Crichton has passed away

[Don]

This guy was very diverse in his works. I enjoyed his books.
I didn't know he wrote "The Andromeda Strain"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7711763.stm

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.

His books have sold more than 150m 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.

A private funeral service is expected.

Crichton is survived by his wife, Sherri, and daughter, Taylor.

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."

'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.

"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
Lost World, from the Jurassic Park trilogy
Odds On (1966)
The Andromeda Strain (1969)
The Great Train Robbery (1975)
Congo (1980)
Jurassic Park (1990)
Disclosure (1994)
The Lost World (1995) - pictured
Timeline (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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

[bluejeangirl76]

Yeah I heard this on the radio earlier... sad, only 66.

I loved The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park (the books, I mean).

[ProgRocker53]

A personal hero and a massive inspiration to me.. my imagination wouldn't be as expansive and I wouldn't have such a profound interest in writing, had it not been for me cracking open the novel Jurassic Park at the age of 7. Changed my life forever.

[Gordon from Edinburgh]

A personal hero and a massive inspiration to me.. my imagination wouldn't be as expansive and I wouldn't have such a profound interest in writing, had it not been for me cracking open the novel Jurassic Park at the age of 7. Changed my life forever.

I was a huge fan too - his books were always great in the sense of just being good ripping yarns, although - his science was always very questionable, but regardless, his books gave me many hours of entertainment. RIP.

[nutz4Neal]

Huge fan of Michael Crichton, hubby and I both read all his books.

Very sad day, we had no idea he was this sick.

RIP, Mr. Crichton.

[Angel]

Very sad-also one of my favorite authors.

[Monker]

Wow, this was a huge suprise to me. I always felt he was one of the greatest modern science fiction writers of our time. He had a way blending science fiction into great storytelling in a way that made sci/fi more accessible to the general public.

I always felt that his masterpiece was Sphere. It made a very mediocre movie but as a novel it was incredibly suspensful and very hard to put down. It left you with a constant, 'what the hell is going on..." felling. And, as soon as you think you have it figured out, another twist happens...right up until the very end. The movie tried but could not come close to capturing that suspense.

There were some oddball films which I had no idea Crichton had a hand in writing/directing/producing until much later, like Westworld (which is/was to be remade), Looker, and Run Away. I always liked those in a odd sorta way...and I'm sure it is because Crichton was involved.

This really does leave a huge black hole in science fiction writing. Considering how many franchises he was a part of, I think people will miss him and probably not even realize it.

[Don]

I enjoyed Rising Sun, both the book and the movie which added the twist of the Snipes character being black.

[tj]

I enjoyed Rising Sun, both the book and the movie which added the twist of the Snipes character being black.

What has happened to Snipes? I heard he was found guilty of tax evasion or something. Is he serving time?

[Don]

I enjoyed Rising Sun, both the book and the movie which added the twist of the Snipes character being black.

What has happened to Snipes? I heard he was found guilty of tax evasion or something. Is he serving time?

He is out for the moment while he appeals his three year sentence as far as I know.

[ebake02]

Airframe was a good novel too.