The Jurassic Park family suffered a huge loss on Monday, as Sam Neill died at the age of 78. Neill starred as the reluctantly heroic paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in 1993’s Jurassic Park, as well as the franchise’s follow-ups Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022).
In a statement, director Steven Spielberg remembered his leading man fondly: “Sam was exceptionally collaborative,” the filmmaker said. “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,” he said. “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.”
Dern also shared an emotional tribute to her screen partner, saying, “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.”
Jeff Goldblum shared his own tribute, posting, “The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever,” alongside a dinosaur and heart emoji.
Jurassic World Dominion director Colin Trevorrow, called Neill a “deeply soulful and beautiful man,” adding, “I’ll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters.”
Nicole Kidman who starred with Neill in Dead Calm told The Sydney Morning Herald the late performer was “one of the greats” and “a joy to be around.” “We met when I was just 18 and he took me under his wing and we stayed friends for life. He was charming, kind, funny and intelligent. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family.”
Cillian Murphy, who starred with Neill in Peaky Blinders, called him as “one of the finest actors. Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure. … He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors.”
Toni Collette, who co-starred with Neill in Dirty Deeds and A Long Way Down, paid tribute in an Instagram post, hailing him as a “hero,” “legend,” and “sweetheart.”
Tributes flowed in from other friends, colleagues, and admirers.
Bryce Dallas Howard wrote, “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.”
Alan Cumming called Neill “a glorious beautiful man,” while Kylie Minogue wrote: “Vale Sam 💔,” Latin for farewell.
Karl Urban honored tribute his fellow Kiwi as “an inspiration for many who followed in his trailblazing footsteps. A beautiful man, a national treasure who gave so much to New Zealand and the to world. God speed, Sam.”
Cary Elwes said Neill was “gentle, wise, compassionate, giving, funny and, of course, immensely talented.”
Rachel Griffiths, Neill co-star on Ride Like a Girl and Bring Him to Me, said the news was “such a shock” and that she’ll be “cracking two paddocks tonight.”
