Following the death of Sam Neill, his closest companions from "Jurassic Park" have spoken out. The actor passed away at the age of 78. Actress Laura Dern (59) and director Steven Spielberg (79) honored their longtime colleague and friend with extensive statements shortly after the news became known.
Since the first "Jurassic Park" film in 1993, Laura Dern was among Neill's closest confidants. As paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler, she played alongside Dr. Alan Grant at the time. In her statement, which was obtained by "People" magazine among others, she now called Neill her "beloved friend for life". From him, she learned what loyalty, protectiveness, and love mean. His unmistakably dry humor never fell short.
"He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream of a leading man", Dern declared. However, the final words of her statement were not directed at the actor himself, but at his most famous role: "I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant."
Steven Spielberg praises Neill's openness on set
Director Steven Spielberg looked back at the beginnings in his tribute via Instagram. Neill's earlier roles had caught his attention and ultimately led him to entrust the actor with the character of paleontologist Alan Grant. During filming, he experienced the actor as an exceptionally open and collaborative colleague.
One detail particularly brought a smile to Spielberg's face: While Dr. Grant initially had little patience for children in the film, Neill was privately a loving father. "I loved making all the 'Jurassic' films with him", the director declared. Together with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum (73), they will always remain a "Jurassic family". Neither his colleagues nor the millions of fans around the world would forget Neill.
How closely the trio remained connected was most recently demonstrated twice: In 2022, Neill, Dern, and Goldblum stood together in front of the camera once more in their signature roles for "Jurassic World: Dominion".
Nicole Kidman and Cillian Murphy also mourn
Colin Trevorrow, director of "Jurassic World: Dominion", joined in the tributes. Neill had been a profound and warmhearted person whose strength also gave strength to those around him. He would never forget his calmness, his love of wine, and the serenity that Neill brought to his characters. "Not in every life do you get the opportunity to become friends with a legend", Trevorrow declared. Universal Pictures also said farewell and honored Neill as a "Jurassic legend" of the studio.
The sympathy, however, is not limited to his dinosaur franchise. Nicole Kidman, who had filmed the thriller "Dead Calm" with Neill, emphasized how much the experienced colleague had once supported her as a young actress. Cillian Murphy, known from "Peaky Blinders", called Neill one of the kindest and best actors he had the privilege to work with.
