November 5, 2008

Michael Crichton dies of cancer

"Jurassic Park" author and filmaker Michael Crichton died of cancer in Los Angeles Tuesday. He was 66.

He "died unexpectedly," the release said, "after a courageous and private battle against cancer."

Crichton is well-known as the author of "Jurassic Park." His Web site says his first best-seller was "The Andromeda Strain," which "was published while he was still a medical student."

Crichton was a doctor, graduating "summa cum laude from Harvard College," the site says. He "received his MD from Harvard Medical School, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, researching public policy with Jacob Bronowski," it says.

Crichton, won an Emmy, a Peabody, and a Writer's Guild of America Award for "ER," and won other awards as well.