NEWS: Author Michael Crichton Dies From Cancer at 66
Nov. 5
RIP Good Sir, You'll Be Missed!
How many worldwide renowned authors come to mind? I mean, there's King, Rice, Clancy, Grisham, Koontz, Leonard, Brown etc. The point is, not a whole lot of pop-pulp authors can be instantly discernible by last name. Well, sadly the list wanes, as famed author and film director Michael Crichton lost his bout with cancer on Tuesday (Nov. 4). He was only 66. The author, who rocked nom de plumes of John Lange and Jeffrey Hudson for his early work (which included novels The Andromeda Strain, The Venom Business and Zero Cool), is survived by his sole son Taylor.
Born in Chicago and raised in upstate New York, Crichton traveled from Med School in Massachusetts to California in the early '70s where he eventually settled in Hollywood. There he began directing films based on his own novels, the first being a TV production of Pursuit (Binary) in 1972, the last coming all the way in 1999 with The 13th Warrior (re-titled from Eaters of the Dead). Though not conducted in the same macabre tenor as horror scribe Stephen King, Crichton's sci-fi and techno-thriller subjects often employ morbid unease or otherwise psychological terror that isn't too far off from our genre altogether. His inspiration for films like Coma, Jurassic Park, and Sphere a just a few prime examples of such horrific themes.
As a Med School dropout, and given some of his bodily fiction like Coma, it's no surprise Crichton went on to co-create and executive produce the long-running hit show ER. Hey, if he could spot the talent of a post-Attack of the Killer Tomatoes-George Clooney, the man deserves high praise.
All japing aside, R.I.P Mr. Crichton, you're work will be greatly missed by many!
Among some of his work adapted to the screen:
As Writer:
The Andromeda Strain
Extreme Close-Up
Jurassic Park
Rising Sun
Disclosure
Congo
Twister
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Sphere
As Writer/Director:
Westworld
Coma
The First Great Train Robbery
Looker (underrated horror)
Runaway
Physical Evidence
The 13th Warrior
As you can see, the man did a lot that contributed to the world of film. If you want to know more about Michael Crichton and/or his entire literary credentials, click HERE
Comments
Wow, I hadn't heard about this yet. Thats sad, he was such a good writer. I think my favorite novels of his are A Case of Need and Airframe surprisingly. And as for films you can't beat Yul Brynner in Westworld.
I'm sorry to hear about his passing. I didn't realize I have him to thank for Westworld. I sense a Crichton marathon in my near future.
Rest in peace Michael. What a big loss.
wow, 66. he had a ton more years and great ideas in him still.
I like Terminal Man and Travels yo, rest well doc!
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