Author Michael Crichton dies

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) - Michael Crichton, the best-selling author and filmmaker and creator of the TV series "ER," died in Los Angeles on Tuesday, his public relations firm said in a news release.

He "died unexpectedly," the release said, "after a courageous and private battle against cancer."

Crichton is well-known as the author of "Jurassic Park." His Web site says his first best-seller was "The Andromeda Strain," which "was published while he was still a medical student."

Crichton was a doctor, graduating "summa cum laude from Harvard College," the site says. He "received his MD from Harvard Medical School, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, researching public policy with Jacob Bronowski," it says.

Crichton, 66, won an Emmy, a Peabody, and a Writer's Guild of America Award for "ER," and won other awards as well.