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Michael Crichton was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in Roslyn, New York. His father was a journalist and encouraged him to write and to type. Michael gave up studying English at Harvard University, having become disillusioned with the teaching standards--the final straw came when he submitted an essay by George Orwell that was given a "B-." After giving up English and spending a year in Europe, Michael returned to Boston, Massachusetts, and attended Havard Medical School to train as a doctor. Several times, he was persuaded not to quit the course but did so after qualifying in 1969.

During his medical-student days, he wrote novels secretly mainly under the pseudonym of John Lange in reference to his almost 6ft 9 height. (Lange in German means long) One novel, "A Case of Need," written under the pseudonym Jeffery Hudson, (Sir Jeffrey Hudson was a famous 17th century dwarf) contained references to people at Harvard Medical School, but he couldn't hide his identity when the novel won an award that had to be collected in person. After giving up medicine, Michael moved to Hollywood, California, in the early 1970s and began directing movies based on his books, his first big break being Westworld (1973).

Byron Lee was born on 27 June 1935 in Manchester Parish, Jamaica, British West Indies [now Jamaica]. He was a composer and actor, known for Dr. No (1962), The Mosquito Coast (1986) and My Father the Hero (1994). He was married to Sheila. He died on 4 November 2008 in Kingston, Jamaica.

Jheryl Busby was born on 5 May 1949 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was a producer, known for Joyce Irby feat. Doug E. Fresh: Mr. DJ (1989), BET Special: Johnny Gill (1993) and Intimate Portrait (1990). He died on 4 November 2008 in Malibu, California, USA.

Natasha Korniloff was born on 4 September 1934 in India. She was a costume designer, known for Hamlet (1976), The Solarnauts (1967) and David Bowie: Ashes to Ashes (1980). She died on 4 November 2008 in Greenwich, London, England, UK.

Harald Müller was born on 5 February 1912 in Danzig, West Prussia, Germany [now Gdansk, Pomorskie, Poland]. He was a producer, known for Yesterday's Tomorrow (1978), Peter Alexander präsentiert Spezialitäten (1969) and Das Brot des Bäckers (1976). He died on 4 November 2008 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

Ernesto Aura was born on 8 June 1939 in Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. He was an actor, known for The Three Musketeers (1970), Novela (1963) and Palabras cruzadas (1974). He died on 4 November 2008 in Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Konrad Kotowski was born on 20 March 1940 in Berlin. He was a cinematographer and actor, known for Hunting Scenes from Bavaria (1969), Domino (1982) and Die Pfarrhauskomödie (1972). He died on 4 November 2008 in Berlin, Germany.

Tony Coroon was born on 10 February 1941 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, UK. Tony is known for Legend (1985), Shadow of the Vampire (2000) and Forbidden Sun (1988). Tony was married to Sandy Langdale and Jutta Zombronner. Tony died on 4 November 2008 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, UK.