Author Michael Crichton passes away

Variety reported that Michael Crichton died yesterday at age 66. According to the author’s website, he died “after a courageous and private battle against cancer”. The website also states that Crichton died unexpectedly in Los Angeles.

A memorial posting added: “While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us – and entertained us all while doing so – his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes. He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget.

“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.

“He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves behind the greatest gifts of a thirst for knowledge, the desire to understand, and the wisdom to use our minds to better our world.

A private funeral service is expected, but no further details will be released to the public.

Below is a list of the projects Michael Crichton was involved with, in one way or another, over the years.

Writer
The Andromeda Strain (2008) (TV movie) (novel)
Timeline (2003) (novel)
Jurassic Park III (2001) (character)
The 13th Warrior (1999) (based on his novel novel Eaters of the Dead)
Sphere (1998) (novel)
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) (novel)
Twister (1996) (screenplay)
Congo (1995) (novel)
Disclosure (1994) (novel)
Rising Sun (1993) (novel and screenplay)
Jurassic Park (1993) (novel and screenplay)
Runaway (1984) (screenplay)
Looker (1981) (screenplay)
The First Great Train Robbery (1979) (wrote the novel and screenplay)
Coma (1978) (screenplay)
The Terminal Man (1974) (novel)
Westworld (1973) (screenplay)
Extreme Close-Up (1973) (screenplay)
Pursuit (1972) (TV movie) (based on his novel novel Binary)
The Carey Treatment (1972) (based on his novel A Case of Need)
Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues (1972) (novel)
The Andromeda Strain (1971) (novel)

Director
Physical Evidence (1989)
Runaway (1984)
Looker (1981)
The First Great Train Robbery (1979)
Coma (1978)
Westworld (1973)
Pursuit (1972) (TV movie)

There are also two films based on his work yet-to-be-released, including a remake of the sci-fi western Westworld, due out in 2009, which Ocean’s 11 producer Jerry Weintraub is shepherding and Jurassic Park IV, which is due in 2010, being produced by Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg.