Laura Dern has shared an emotional tribute to her 'dream leading man' and 'beloved lifetime friend', her Jurassic Park co-star Sam Neill, following his death at the age of 78. The Northern Ireland-born New Zealand actor, best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the blockbuster dinosaur franchise, died in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by his family. His death comes months after he revealed he was cancer-free following a 2022 diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Dern's Heartfelt Words
Laura, who played paleobotanist Ellie Sattler and Neill's character's romantic interest in the Jurassic Park series, posted a sweet throwback image of the pair from the initial 1993 film, along with several images of their friendship over the years, and a heartbreaking caption. "Sam was my beloved lifetime friend… He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness, and love, always with the driest of wit. He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant," she said, referencing his paleontologist character.
Fans and Fellow Stars React
Fans were moved by Laura's tribute, with Richard E Grant commenting with several love hearts. One fan commented: "Life found a way for you two to work together and help bring us one of the greatest science fiction films of all time. Thank you Sam, Laura, Jeff, and the rest of the amazing filmmaking family of Jurassic Park." Another said: "You were both my childhood heroes." A third added: "Thank you to both of you for making my childhood so wonderful. I’m sorry for your loss, sending love to you Laura."
Goldblum and Spielberg Pay Tribute
Jeff Goldblum, who played Ian Malcolm in the franchise, also shared a tribute, posting several images from across the film franchise with a message that read: "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever." Jurassic Park director Steven Spielberg said on Amblin Entertainment’s Instagram page: "Sam was exceptionally collaborative. It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children. I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him. Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world."
Bryce Dallas Howard's Emotional Message
Bryce Dallas Howard, who starred in the Jurassic World reboot, shared a video of Neill, Dern, and Goldblum playing and singing the Beatles song Blackbird on the piano. Her caption read: "Sam. When we lived together in that little bubble for Jurassic World Dominion, in a hotel seven minutes from set, for four and a half months, I said that if anyone was going to go through a pandemic together, I was so glad it was with you. I still am. Sam was exactly who you hoped he’d be. Funny, warm, wickedly self-deprecating, endlessly kind. A beautiful human being who happened to also be Alan Grant. Sam had an immense passion for life. Generous with his wine, his stories, his time. One of the most unassumingly attractive and magnetic people I’ve ever met. One of the greats, in every sense. He loved his home. He loved his family, his pets, his farm. He was a friend to everyone. I’m so sad for the world today but especially for those who got to see him every day. He lit up every room he walked into and made the experience of being human feel dazzling. My heart is with his family and everyone who loved him. And truly, everyone did. I love you, Sam. I miss you. I love you."
Family's Statement and Legacy
The statement announcing Neill's death confirmed that he was surrounded by his family when he died: "Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life. The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free." His family asked for privacy as they process his loss. Neill is remembered by his four children and eight grandchildren. Neill first appeared in the franchise in the 1993 film and reprised his role in Jurassic Park III (2001) and more recently returned for Jurassic World Dominion (2022).
