Michael Crichton, author of more than a dozen best-sellers including "Jurassic Park" and "The Andromeda Strain," has died of cancer in Los Angeles, aged 66, his family said Wednesday 5th November in a statement.
"Michael Crichton died unexpectedly in Los Angeles Tuesday, November 4, 2008 after a courageous and private battle against cancer," said a statement posted on the author's website.
Crichton was the author of numerous blockbusters, some of which sold over 100 million copies, and which were translated in 30 languages worldwide.
He was also the creator of the international hit television hospital drama series "E.R."
"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," the statement said.
His most recent novel was "Next" published in 2006. Crichton was famed for his historic and prehistoric science fantasies like Jurassic Park, Timeline and The Andromeda Strain - all of which were made into hit movies.
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.
