Michael Crichton's Net Worth
Michael Crichton, an esteemed American author and producer, had a net worth of $400 million at his death in 2008. Adjusted for inflation, this amounts to around $480 million today. Crichton's literary contributions include bestsellers such as "Congo," "Sphere," "Jurassic Park," and "Rising Sun," with over 200 million copies sold globally. Many of these novels were adapted into films that have collectively generated billions at the global box office. Crichton also created the prolific TV series "ER," which aired for 15 seasons and 331 episodes, garnering billions in syndication fees. Crichton passed away on November 4, 2008, at age 66, following a battle with cancer.
Early Life
Born on October 23, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, Michael Crichton grew up in Roslyn, NY. He attended Harvard University, where his frustrations with the English department led him to submit an essay by George Orwell under his name, only to receive a B-. This prompted him to switch his focus to medicine, ultimately graduating summa cum laude with a degree in biological anthropology. He enrolled at Harvard Medical School but quickly realized it was not his passion. Nevertheless, he completed his M.D. while writing novels on the side, with his first novel "Odds On," about a computer-planned hotel robbery, published in 1966.
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Michael Crichton Height
Michael Crichton stood tall at 6 feet 9 inches.
Career Success
Crichton's breakthrough came in 1969 with the publication of "The Andromeda Strain," a novel about a deadly extraterrestrial virus. The book became his first bestseller and was later adapted into a film, solidifying his status as a Hollywood creative force. In 1990, Crichton released "Jurassic Park," which sparked a four-studio bidding war for film rights. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the 1993 movie adaptation grossed over $1 billion and remained the highest-grossing film until 1997's "Titanic." His 1995 novel "The Lost World" also achieved success and was adapted into a film.
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"ER" Television Series
In 1994, Crichton created the medical drama series "ER," which ran for 15 successful seasons, totaling 331 episodes. As of now, "ER" has garnered over $4 billion in syndication revenue, making it one of the most successful TV series in history.
Personal Life
Michael Crichton was married five times, with four marriages ending in divorce. He had a daughter, Taylor Anne, with his fourth wife. At his death, his fifth wife Sherri was six months pregnant with their son John Michael, born on February 12, 2009.
Death and Estate
Diagnosed with lymphoma in early 2008, Crichton's condition later progressed to throat cancer. He passed away on November 4, 2008, at age 66. His will initially did not include provisions for his unborn son John, leading to a legal battle where an LA court finally recognized John as an heir, entitled to one-third of Crichton's estate.
Art Collection
Crichton was an avid art collector, focusing on 20th-century American art. He served on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. His collection included works by Pablo Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, and close friend Jasper Johns. In May 2010, Christie's auctioned off approximately 100 pieces from his collection, netting $93 million. Johns's "Flag 1960-1966" sold for $28.6 million, nearly tripling the previous record for a Johns piece.
