Steven Spielberg and Laura Dern have both paid tribute to their Jurassic Park collaborator Sam Neill, who died on Monday (July 13) aged 78.
READ MORE: Sam Neill, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Peaky Blinders’ actor, dies aged 78
In a statement on his official Instagram account, his family shared: “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia.”
“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. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.”
“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”
Neill was known for a number of films and TV series throughout his career, including horror classic Event Horizon, Oscar-winning drama The Piano, and hit series Peaky Blinders. His most famous role, however, was that of Dr. Alan Grant in 1993’s Jurassic Park. He would reprise the role twice more, in 2001’s Jurassic Park III and 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion.
The director of the first film, Steven Spielberg, and Laura Dern, who starred in the movie as Dr. Ellie Sattler, both released statements to Variety commenting on his passing.
“Sam was my beloved lifetime friend,” Dern said. “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.”
Spielberg said he was “saddened” to hear of Neill’s death. “I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gillian Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention and led to his playing Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park.”
“Sam was exceptionally collaborative,” he continued. “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.”
Recently, Spielberg had shared that Harrison Ford had originally been offered the role of Grant but turned it down, saying that while he had been “crushed” initially, it worked out for the best because the role “belongs to” Neill.
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