[gmd3d]

Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton has died in Los Angeles at the age of 66, according to his website.

The creator of the popular TV drama ER died "unexpectedly" after a private battle with cancer, his family said.

Crichton, a medical doctor turned novelist, has sold than 150 million of his books worldwide.

His family said in a statement on the website: "While the world knew him as a great story teller 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."

Crichton was born in Chicago on October 23, 1942 and wrote his first novels under pen names while attending Harvard Medical School.

The Andromeda Strain, which was published in 1969, became his first best-seller.

In addition to Jurassic Park and its sequel, The Lost World, which became blockbuster Hollywood films, Crichton wrote Congo, The Terminal Man, Prey and State of Fear.