Michael Crichton's family reported that the best-selling author, best know for penning such science-geeky books as "Jurassic Park" and "The Andromeda Strain," and creating the long-running TV series "ER," died in Los Angeles. Crichton had been privately battling cancer.

Crichton came to writing fiction after first studying medicine at Harvard and working as a fellow at the Jonas Salk Institute. His next book was scheduled to come out next month, but had been indefinitely postponed due to his illness.

"While the world knew him as a great storyteller 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," his family wrote in a statement.