Notorious best-seller writer Michael Crichton who wrote such novels as "The Andromeda Strain" (1971) and "Jurassic Park," (1993) and also was behind the popular TV drama "ER," (1994) has died at 66, his family said on Wednesday. Crichton died unexpectedly in Los Angeles on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, after a private battle against cancer, according to his family.
"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.

He wrote the screenplay for the movies “Extreme Close Up” (1973) and “Twister” (1996) (the latter co-written with Anne-Marie Martin, his wife at the time). “Jurassic Park III” is a sequel to “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic Park,” both based on Crichton's novels, but “Jurassic Park III” isn't based on one of his novels, though he helped write the screenplay. Besides the ones mentioned above, Crichton wrote "Congo," "The Terminal Man," "Prey" and "State of Fear" among others. A new novel by Crichton had been tentatively scheduled to come next month, but publisher HarperCollins said the book was postponed indefinitely because of his illness.

Not to mention Crichton's 1971 “Andromeda Strain,” tapped into a nation's fascination with space travel in the heady days of the Apollo program with the terrifying possibility that a virus would be returned to Earth, mysteriously killing nearly everyone. Moreover also in the sci-fi tradition, Crichton anticipated new technology before it appeared in real life. His terrifying raptors were terrorizing kids in “Jurassic Park” six years before the birth of Dolly the Sheep.

He also directed movies such as "Westworld" (1973), "Coma" (1978), "Looker" (1981) and "Runaway" (1984).
But writing was indeed his whole life. For instance, while in medical school, he wrote novels under the pen names John Lange and Jeffery Hudson. “A Case of Need,” written under the latter pseudonym, won the 1969 Edgar Award for Best Novel. He also co-authored “Dealing” with his younger brother Douglas under the shared pen name Michael Douglas.

Crichton's 2004 bestseller, "State of Fear," acknowledged the world was growing warmer, but challenged extreme anthropogenic warming scenarios. His views were strongly condemned by environmentalists, who alleged that the author was hurting efforts to pass legislation to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. In recent years, Crichton was the rare writer to get on well with President Bush.

"Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park," said director Steven Spielberg in a statement released today.

"He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the earth. 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."

Crichton's books have been translated into 36 languages, and 13 have been made into films. All in all his books have sold more than 150 million copies. Crichton won an Emmy and Writer's Guild of America Award for creating the hit TV hospital drama ER. He was an executive producer of the show which is now in its 15th season.

Crichton was married five times and divorced four times. He was married to Suzanna Childs, Joan Radam (1965–1970), Kathy St. Johns (1978–1980) and Anne-Marie Martin, the mother of his only child, daughter Taylor Anne. At the time of his passing, Crichton was married to Sherri Alexander. A private funeral service is expected.