Michael Crichton Biography
Born: October 28, 1942
Date of birth: October 28, 1942
You've got to feel a little annoyed at Michael Crichton for being so successful. On top of that, he's tall (6' 9"), good looking and, of course, his success has made him a millionaire many, many times over.
His producing fee alone for his latest book-into-film, Airframe, is said to be $2 million.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in a suburb of New York. His journalist father encouraged him to write, and write he did.
After abandoning English studies at Harvard, he spent a year traveling around Europe before returning to Harvard to study medicine.
Now well a full medical student program would be enough to more than occupy most people, Crichton was writing novels under false names on the side.
After leaving medicine behind, Crichton moved to Hollywood and managed to get a 1973 directing gig bringing one of his own novels to the big screen -- Westworld.
From there it was one success after another as his novels sold big time, his films did well, and a little TV show he created call ER went through the ratings roof.
As for how he views his work, he says, "I'm a writer. I try to entertain. If people find social significance in the work, fine.
But my goal is to provide entertainment, nothing more."