Jeff Goldblum has paid tribute to his Jurassic Park co-star Sam Neill, saying: “The next great adventure begins.” The New Zealand actor, best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the blockbuster franchise, died aged 78 in Sydney, Australia, on Monday.
Tributes from Co-Stars and Filmmakers
A flood of tributes poured in, including from Jurassic Park filmmaker Steven Spielberg and Peaky Blinders co-star Cillian Murphy. Goldblum posted photographs from the 1993 film featuring himself, Neill, and Laura Dern, who played paleobotanist Ellie Sattler. He wrote: “The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever.”
Murphy, who played Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, described Neill as “one of the finest actors” and “one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people.”
Spielberg and Others Remember Neill
Spielberg said: “Sam was exceptionally collaborative… I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him.” Richard E Grant called Neill “an officer and a gentleman,” while Karl Urban said he was “an inspiration for many.”
Neill announced in April 2026 that he was cancer-free after treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A statement on Instagram said he died surrounded by family and remained cancer-free at the time.
Career Highlights
Born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, Neill gained attention in 1977’s Sleeping Dogs. His breakthrough came in Jurassic Park (1993), and he later starred in The Piano, The Hunt for Red October, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. On television, he appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Tudors, and The Simpsons.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Neill “took New Zealand stories to the world.” Neill leaves four children and eight grandchildren.
