American author Michael Crichton, known for books including "Jurassic Park," "The Lost World," "Disclosure," and "Rising Sun," has died of cancer at the age of 66.

A native of Chicago, Crichton was an M.D. who started writing fiction while a student at Harvard Medical School. He specialized in science fiction and technothriller novels, often with cautionary tales about the use and misuse of technology. Among his other novels are "State of Fear," "Prey," "Airframe," "Timeline," and "The Terminal Man."

Many of his novels were made into films, including "Westworld," "Jurassic Park," "The Andromeda Strain," "Congo," "Sphere," and "The Great Train Robbery." He also directed movies and TV shows written by others, including "Coma" and Twister."

Michael Crichton was also the creator, executive producer, and writer for the long-running TV show "E.R.," which is now in its final season.