Michael Crichton

1942-2008

The noted science-fiction writer who created the source material for many big-budget films died today from cancer.

Westworld

The Andromeda Strain

Jurassic Park

The Lost World

Twister

In 1973, Westworld became the first film to use computer generated special effects. Crichton won the Oscar for Technical Achievement in 1995 for his development of computer programs to be used in film production. For his creation and writing of ER, he won back-to-back Emmy Awards and the Peabody. In 2002, a newly discovered herbivorous dinosaur was named in his honor.