In a sad twist of irony, doctor/author/screenwriter/television producer Michael Critchton, who found a large niche penning medical-based thrillers, has died of cancer. He was 66. According to EW.com, Crichton's public relations firm released a statement revealing the prolific writer had succumbed to the disease after "a courageous and  private" battle. In addition to penning the blockbuster novel Jurassic Park, which was turned into one of the biggest movies of all time by Steven Spielberg, Crichton created the long-running medical soap opera ER, which made Sherry Stringfield (ex-Blake, Guiding Light) a household name and currently stars daytime alums Angela Bassett (ex-Leonie, Ryan's Hope) and John Stamos (ex-Blackie, General Hospital).

AOL Black Voices.com has named its list of the 20 Sexiest Black Women over 40 and it comes to no surprise that several daytime alums made the cut. Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla, The Young and the Restless),  Elise Neal (ex-Janey, Loving) and Angela Bassett (ex-Leonie, Ryan's Hope) all made the list. 

While mad props must be given to these three lucious ladies for proving 40 indeed isn't fatal, I have to ask, where is my girl Debbie "Dimples" Morgan (Angie, All My Children)???

Zap2it is reporting that former Ryan's Hope star and Oscar nominee Angela Bassett has signed on to star in the final season of NBC's long running medical drama ER.

Apparently she'll portray an attending physician who returns to Chicago's County General after spending the last several years abroad.

"Angela is a wonderfully talented actress whom I've long hoped to work with," ER executive producer John Wells tells The Hollywood Reporter.

ER, which will be celebrating its 15th and final season next year, is pulling out all the stops in attempt to reclaim the ratings gold it enjoyed for so many seasons. Fan favorite Noah Wyle will be returning for four episodes as John Carter and rumors have persisted that the show is trying to woo back other popular actors to the roles that made them famous.

One Life to Live's Sean Ringgold has landed a role in Suge Knight's upcoming movie "Notorious." The film features an all star cast including former daytime star Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace and Derek Luke as Sean Combs.

The film is set to make it to the big screen in 2009.

Meanwhile, back in Llanview, we haven't seen much of Ringgold's Shaun as of late. If you would like to see more of him send your letters in support of his character to:

Sean Ringgold
One Life to Live
c/o ABC TV
56 West 66th St.
New York, NY 10023

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