Michael Crichton

NAME John Michael Crichton

WHAT FAMOUS FOR A prolific American author and filmmaker, known for his techno-thrillers and medical fiction.

BIRTH Born on October 23, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Crichton was the eldest of four siblings in a middle-class family. His father, John Henderson Crichton, was a journalist and advertising agent, and his mother, Zula Miller Crichton, was a homemaker with a deep appreciation for the arts.

CHILDHOOD As a child, Crichton’s health was often fragile, leading him to spend many hours indoors. However, this didn’t dampen his curiosity. Encouraged by his parents, he immersed himself in books, science experiments, and model trains. His mother, a talented pianist, exposed him to the arts, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

By the age of 14, Crichton had already published his first article in The New York Times. As a teenager, he excelled academically, played basketball, and edited the school newspaper. This multifaceted young man laid the foundation for a remarkable career as a writer and polymath.

EDUCATION Crichton's academic journey was as fascinating as his literary career. He initially studied English at Harvard University but switched to biological anthropology, graduating summa cum laude in 1964. He then pursued medical studies at Harvard Medical School, obtaining his M.D. in 19692. However, Crichton never practiced medicine, instead choosing to focus on his passion for writing.

During his time as a medical student, Crichton began his writing career under the pseudonyms John Lange and Jeffrey Hudson.

Michael Crichton felt one of his college writing professors was giving him unfair grades. To prove it, he submitted an essay by George Orwell under his own name and the professor gave him just a B-. 

CAREER RECORD Crichton began writing novels under pseudonyms during medical school to support himself. 

His breakout novel, The Andromeda Strain (1969), was a bestseller and launched his career. 

He created and produced the hit TV series ER.

APPEARANCE Michael Crichton was a striking figure, known for his towering 6'9" frame and lean physique. With his dark hair, often combed back, and a set of paper-white teeth, he cut an imposing figure.

Despite his imposing height, he carried himself with an easygoing demeanor, never seeming to use his stature for intimidation. Instead, he presented a relaxed and approachable persona.

Crichton at Harvard University in 2002. Jon Chase photo/Harvard News Office

FASHION Crichton's style was typically casual and understated. He was often seen in jeans and a casual shirt, though he could also adopt a more formal, scholarly look for professional settings. 

CHARACTER Crichton was a deeply curious and meticulous individual, known for his work ethic and ability to delve into complex scientific concepts.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Crichton possessed a dry, intellectual sense of humor, which occasionally surfaced in his works through satirical elements. His Orwell essay experiment showcased his sharp wit and critique of academia.

RELATIONSHIPS Michael Crichton was married five times throughout his life. 

Joan Radam: Married on January 1, 1965, divorced in 1970.

Kathy St. Johns: Married on December 31, 1978, divorced on September 5, 1980.

Suzanne Childs: Married on October 22, 1981, divorced on December 30, 1983.

Anne-Marie Martin: Married in 1987, divorced in September 2002. They had a daughter named Taylor

Sherri Alexander: Married in Hawaii on May 4, 2005, until his death on November 4, 2008. They had a son  John Michael Todd Crichton, who was born on February 12, 2009, three months after Crichton's death,.

Despite his multiple marriages, Crichton expressed a desire to have a family life, once stating, "I'd like to get married again and have children, and live like a normal person." However, his personal relationships were often overshadowed by his dedication to work.

MONEY AND FAME Michael Crichton amassed a substantial fortune and widespread fame through his multifaceted career as an author, screenwriter, and producer. At the time of his passing in 2008, his net worth was estimated at a staggering $400 million, equivalent to approximately $480 million in today's currency.

Crichton's literary prowess was a primary driver of his wealth. His novels, including the iconic Jurassic Park, have collectively sold over 200 million copies worldwide, consistently topping bestseller lists.

His influence extended beyond the literary realm to Hollywood. Numerous Crichton novels were adapted into blockbuster films, and he personally wrote and directed movies such as Westworld and The Great Train Robbery. Additionally, he created the long-running and highly successful TV series ER, which generated over $3 billion in syndication fees.

Crichton's unparalleled success across various media platforms solidified his fame. In 1993, he achieved the extraordinary feat of simultaneously having the #1 movie (Jurassic Park), #1 TV show (ER), and #1 book (Disclosure). Jurassic Park alone became one of the highest-grossing films of all time, and Crichton received a substantial $1.5 million for the film rights, along with an additional $500,000 as a consultant.

FOOD AND DRINK Michael Crichton had a unique approach to eating, especially when he was deep in the throes of writing. He believed in the power of routine to maintain focus and productivity.

To achieve this, Crichton often stuck to a strict dietary regimen while working on a book. For instance, during the writing of Congo, his daily meal consisted of barbecued beef and salad. Similarly, while penning The Great Train Robbery, his diet was limited to tuna fish.

To complement his meals, Crichton was a fan of Coca-Cola. His refrigerator was often stocked with a dozen cans, a testament to his reliance on this beverage during intense writing sessions. He also kept pre-made ham and cheese sandwiches on hand, a convenient snack to fuel his creativity.

While Crichton had a penchant for Asian cuisine, particularly Japanese, Chinese, and Thai, he often eschewed food and drink at social gatherings. This disciplined approach to eating and socializing underscored his dedication to his craft.

MUSIC AND ARTS Crichton enjoyed classical music. He was also a fan of musicals and expressed interest in potentially working on a movie adaptation of A Chorus Line. 

He often used art and design as inspiration for his writing. His novel Jurassic Park was deeply influenced by aesthetics and visualization.

Crichton was also a notable art collector with a collection that included works by Picasso, Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns. In 2010, a Christie's auction of about 80% of his collection netted $93 million.

He often used art and design as inspiration for his writing. His novel Jurassic Park was deeply influenced by aesthetics and visualization.

LITERATURE Before he was a household name, Crichton was penning thrillers under pseudonyms like John Lange and Jeffrey Hudson. His debut novel, A Case of Need, a medical mystery, even snagged a prestigious Edgar Allan Poe Award. But it was The Andromeda Strain that truly launched him into the stratosphere. This sci-fi thriller, published under his own name, was a page-turner that had readers gripped, and it set the stage for a career of blockbuster hits.

From the terrifying The Terminal Man to the mind-bending Sphere, Crichton’s books were a rollercoaster ride of science, suspense, and a healthy dose of paranoia. He even tackled the big screen, directing the groundbreaking Westworld and creating the iconic TV series ER.

A voracious reader, Crichton admired classic authors like George Orwell and was deeply influenced by science fiction and non-fiction writers alike.

NATURE Crichton loved nature and wilderness exploration, which inspired settings in his novels, such as the remote jungles of Congo and Jurassic Park.

PETS Crichton's affinity for animals is evident in his detailed depiction of wildlife in his works.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Crichton enjoyed scuba diving, photography, and travel. His hobbies often informed his novels' richly detailed settings.

As evident in his novels, Crichton had a keen interest in biology and anthropology, emerging technologies and medical science.

In high school, Crichton was the star basketball center due to his height (6 feet 5 inches by sophomore year).

He had an interest in sports performance, noting how athletes achieve seemingly impossible feats

SCIENCE AND MATHS A lover of science, Crichton used his background in anthropology and medicine to ground his speculative fiction in real scientific principles, making his stories compelling and believable.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Michael Crichton's philosophy was characterized by a blend of scientific skepticism, openness to unconventional ideas, and concern about the societal impacts of technology and environmental policies. His views often challenged mainstream scientific and environmental narratives, making him a controversial figure in these debates.

While not overtly religious, Crichton grappled with existential questions. He criticized the inability of science to answer "why" questions about existence and meaning and recognized the human need for understanding beyond pure materialism. However, he was also critical of traditional religious answers to these questions.

Crichton’s works often explored philosophical themes like ethics in science, the dangers of unchecked technology, and human hubris.

POLITICS Crichton was critical of political correctness and bureaucracy, themes that appeared in his novels and essays. His views on climate change, expressed in State of Fear, sparked controversy.

SCANDAL Crichton’s critique of global warming in his novel State of Fear drew criticism from environmentalists and scientists, who argued his portrayal was misleading. It sparked public debates about climate change and environmentalism. The author appeared in media defending his portrayal of global warming as a complex and not universally settled issue, sparking backlash and discussions in both scientific and public forums.

MILITARY RECORD Crichton showed interest in the ethical implications of military technology in works like The Andromeda Strain.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Crichton maintained good health through much of his life but was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2008, which led to his untimely death.

HOMES  Crichton owned several homes, reflecting his love for nature and solitude. They included:

A sprawling home in New York state, which was given to his ex-wife Anne Marie Crichton as part of their divorce settlement.

A Hawaiian estate, which Crichton retained after the divorce.

A home in Santa Monica, California, where he was living separately from Anna-Marie at the time of their divorce.

TRAVEL Crichton was an avid traveler and explorer. He began writing about his travels at a young age, having a travel column published in The New York Times at just 14 years old. He explored destinations like Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, which inspired the exotic locales of his novels.  Crichton's adventures around the world helped shape his writing and led to his non-fiction book Travels.

DEATH Michael Crichton died on November 4, 2008, in Los Angeles after a private battle with cancer. Specifically, he succumbed to lymphatic cancer at the age of 66.

Crichton's struggle with cancer was kept private, with his family describing it as a "courageous and private battle" in their statement following his death. The author had managed to keep his illness out of the public eye, which came as a surprise to many when his passing was announced.

A private funeral was planned for the author. The family did not disclose specific information about the burial location or ceremony

Following his death, Steven Spielberg, who directed Jurassic Park, praised Crichton's talent and described him as a "gentle soul"

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Michael Crichton made numerous appearances in media throughout his career, reflecting his status as a literary and cinematic icon. Here are the key highlights:

Crichton frequently appeared on television programs and interviews to discuss his works and ideas. He was known for his articulate explanations of scientific concepts and their role in his storytelling, appearing on shows like The Today Show, Charlie Rose, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Crichton made a brief cameo in Jurassic Park: The Ride at Universal Studios, where he appeared in the ride’s promotional and background materials.

Crichton’s career and works have been featured in several documentaries, including retrospectives on Jurassic Park and ER. These programs often focus on his groundbreaking fusion of science and fiction, as well as his influence on the film and television industries. 

Many of Crichton’s novels, including Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Sphere, and Timeline, have been adapted into major motion pictures. These films often included his input as a consultant, and his influence can be seen in the scientific rigor and storytelling style.

The Simpsons parodied Jurassic Park in multiple episodes. Perhaps the most iconic homage is in "Itchy & Scratchy Land" (Season 6, Episode 4). This episode parallels Jurassic Park with its depiction of a theme park gone awry, albeit with animatronic cartoon characters instead of dinosaurs. The park's logo, high-tech security systems, and chaotic failure are all direct nods to Crichton’s classic story.

ACHIEVEMENTS Authored over 25 novels, with many adapted into iconic films.

Created the Emmy-winning TV series ER.

Jurassic Park grossed over $1 billion, revolutionizing CGI in cinema.

Awarded the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for A Case of Need.

Posthumously remembered as one of the most influential science fiction and techno-thriller writers of his time.