It has been more than three decades since the original Jurassic Park first premiered in 1993, and the franchise has continued to captivate audiences worldwide. Based on Michael Crichton's 1990 novel, the film transports viewers to the fictional Isla Nublar, where a wildlife park of de-extinct dinosaurs descends into chaos after a power outage. The cast, a constellation of major stars, has seen both triumphs and tragedies, including the recent death of Sam Neill at age 78. Here is an updated look at where the beloved cast members are now.
Sam Neill: A Legacy Remembered
Sam Neill, who played paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant, died on July 13, 2026, at age 78. He reprised his role in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). The Northern Ireland-born New Zealand actor also appeared in Event Horizon (1997), Wimbledon (2004), and Peter Rabbit (2018), with a cameo in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). On television, he played Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in The Tudors (2007) and Major Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders (2013–2014).
Neill released his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? in 2023 and ran the Two Paddocks winery, founded in 1993. In 2022, he revealed a diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, but later announced he was in remission. He described himself as a "solitary single man" to the Sydney Morning Herald. He had three children, including a stepdaughter, and was married once.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute, calling Neill "one of the greats" and instrumental to the New Zealand film industry. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Neill had "earned a special place in Australian hearts." A family statement on Instagram read: "It is with immense sadness that the whanau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing... Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life." The statement added that his death was sudden and unexpected, but he remained cancer-free. The family requested privacy.
Laura Dern: From Oscars to The White Lotus
Laura Dern, now 59, portrayed Dr. Ellie Sattler and returned for Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion. She won an Academy Award for Marriage Story (2019) and starred in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). Her acclaimed TV roles include Amy Jellicoe in Enlightened (2011–2013) and Renata Klein in Big Little Lies (2017–2019). In 2026, she joined The White Lotus, replacing Helena Bonham Carter. Dern co-authored the book Honey, Baby, Mine with her mother, Diane Ladd, in 2023. She was married to musician Ben Harper from 2005 to 2013 and has two children: son Ellery Walker, 24, and daughter Jaya, 21. She is also starring in a drama about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, playing reporter Julie K Brown.
Jeff Goldblum: Fatherhood in His 60s and Musical Ventures
Jeff Goldblum, now 73, played Dr. Ian Malcolm and returned in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). He also appeared in Independence Day (1996), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and Asteroid City (2023). Goldblum voiced the Wizard in the Wicked films, calling himself "the luckiest boy in the world." He has released three albums since 2018, including Still Blooming (2025) with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, featuring his Wicked co-stars.
Goldblum has been candid about becoming a father in his 60s. He married dancer Emilie Goldblum in 2014; they have two sons, Charlie (born July 2015) and River (born April 2017). In 2018, he told iNews: "It feels great to do it right now, because all the things I’m considering are perfectly suited to the big questions and challenges of having kids." He was previously married to actors Patricia Gaul and Geena Davis.
Richard Attenborough: A Life Remembered
The late Richard Attenborough played Dr. John Hammond and reprised the role in The Lost World. After Jurassic Park, he appeared in Miracle on 34th Street (1994) and Elizabeth (1998). Attenborough, the older brother of David Attenborough, died in 2014 at age 90 at a care home. He was survived by his wife Sheila Sim (who died in 2016) and two of their children; his daughter Jane and granddaughter Lucy died in the 2004 Pacific tsunami.
B.D. Wong: Advocacy and Continued Roles
B.D. Wong, now 65, played Dr. Henry Wu and returned in the Jurassic World trilogy. He voiced the character in Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004). His TV credits include Dr. George Huang on Law & Order: SVU (2001–2015), Mr. Robot, and Gotham. Wong shares two children with ex-partner Richie Jackson and has been married to Richert Schnorr since 2018. He is an advocate for AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities.
Joseph Mazzello: From Child Star to Bohemian Rhapsody
Joseph Mazzello, now 42, played Tim Murphy and had a cameo in The Lost World. He won a Young Artist Award for his role. He appeared in The River Wild (1994), The Social Network (2010), and portrayed Queen bassist John Deacon in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). His TV credits include The Pacific and Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021).
Ariana Richards: From Acting to Award-Winning Art
Ariana Richards, now 46, played Lex Murphy and made a brief appearance in The Lost World. She won a Young Artist Award but later shifted focus to art. She studied Fine Art and Drama at Skidmore College and is now an award-winning artist known for "evocative figures and landscapes," per her website. She appeared in Lego Jurassic World (2015). Richards has been married to Mark Bolton since 2013 and has one child.
Samuel L. Jackson: A Legendary Career
Samuel L. Jackson, now 77, played Ray Arnold but did not reprise the role. In 1993, he appeared in True Romance and won a BAFTA for Pulp Fiction (1994). His filmography includes Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), the Star Wars prequels, Unbreakable (2000), The Incredibles (2004), Snakes on a Plane (2006), and Django Unchained (2012). He plays Nick Fury in the MCU and Agent Gibbons in the XXX series. Jackson earned a Tony nomination for The Piano Lesson (2022). He has been married to LaTanya Richardson since 1980; they have a daughter.
