In this 1977 photo, director Michael Crichton poses with a skeleton while on location for the film “Coma.” (MGM / Associated Press)
In this 1977 photo originally released by MGM, director Michael Crichton is shown on location for the film “Coma.” (MGM / Associated Press)
In this 1979 photo, writer and director Michael Crichton is shown on the set of “The Great Train Robbery.” (United Artists / Associated Press)
Michael Crichton poses at the Peninsula Hotel in New York in 2004. His most recent novel, Next, which dealt with genetics and the law, was published in 2006. (Jim Cooper / Associated Press)
Michael Crichton in Munich, Germany, in 2005. The author died Tuesday in Los Angeles after a private battle with cancer, his family said. (Peter Kneffel / EPA)
Michael Crichton presents an award at the 16th Annual Producers Guild Awards at Culver Studios in 2005. The writer-director shared a 1995 Academy Award for technical achievement for pioneering computerized motion picture budgeting and scheduling. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
