Many woke up this morning to the very sad news that Sam Neill died at the age of 78. The New Zealand-born actor’s passing was announced by his family on social media and, quite frankly, it’s hard to believe the beloved thespian is no longer with us. Fans and film pundits alike have since been paying tribute to the late Jurassic Universe star. And, unsurprisingly, a number of Neill’s former collaborators are doing the same, as Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and a host of others have shared incredibly kind words about him.
Laura Dern played the Dr. Ellie Sattler to Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic movies, and the two had incredible on-screen chemistry. Aside from their work, though, Neill and Dern forged a personal friendship, and it was also delightful to see them reunite. Dern reacted to Neill’s death via a statement shared with Variety, and the Oscar winner’s sweet thoughts are so sweet:
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.
Both Dern and Neill had the opportunity to reprise their roles as Sattler and Grant for 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion years after they last appeared in the franchise in 2001’s Jurassic Park III. In the more recent movie, directed by Colin Trevorrow, the pair were also joined by co-star Jeff Goldblum, who famously played Dr. Ian Malcolm. Goldblum reacted to Neill’s death on Instagram, sharing a still from JP and penning a brief, but loving, message in honor of his buddy:
The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever. 🦕💕
Neill’s exact cause of death has not been released, though it’s been reported that he was cancer-free after having been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer in 2022. The following year, Goldblum spoke highly of Neill and said that he was doing well and that they had been in “constant” contact. Also joining this recent course of tributes for Neill was Chris Pratt, who worked with Neill on J-World Dominion. The Owen Grady actor said this about his former co-star on his Instagram story:
So devastated to hear the news on Sam's passing. It was a privilege getting to work with him. All the laughs and memories, I'll cherish forever. He is a true legend. Keeping his family in my prayers.
Additionally, another person to memorialize Sam Neill was Steven Spielberg, who directed him in the all-time classic Jurassic Park. Spielberg released a statement that was shared with Variety and said he was “saddened” by Neill’s death. Spielberg shared the following:
I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam 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. 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.
Jurassic franchise producer Frank Marshall also reached out in the aftermath of Neill’s death. On X, the producer shared a still of a camera monitor shot from a previous shoot and said this:
Getting to know and work with Sam Neill was an experience I will always cherish. A talented, funny, classy, beautiful and warm human being, he was always up for anything, including putting on the costume for a Super Bowl spot. Sail on, Dr. Grant.
Sam Neill’s body of work is quite impressive and extends beyond the Jurassic movies. Sleeping Dogs (his film debut), Possession, The Hunt for Red October, The Piano and Event Horizon are just a few of the titles in his filmography. Not only that, but Neill also appeared on shows like Peaky Blinders and The Tudors. Neill left an indelible mark due to his body of work and, as Spielberg asserted he won’t be forgotten as an artist. Though I’d wager those who knew him will remember him fondly for being a great human being.
