Hollwood star Sam Neill’s demise has sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry. With many people remembering the actor and paying their respects, his ‘Jurassic Park family also reached out to remember their old and good times together.
‘Jurassic Park’ franchise cast says goodbye to Sam Neill
Jeff Goldblum, who was one of the original actors from the first three films, took to his Instagram account in order to share old photos of the cast from their days on set. He wrote in the caption, “The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever (dinosaur emoji and two hearts emoji).”Laura Dern, who played the role of Dr. Ellie Sattler in the film also bid adieu to her dear friend and wrote, “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.” She shared photos of the two of them over the years, remembering his legacy and friendship.This was also followed by Ariana Richards, who played the main child actress in the first film. She shared old photos of the two of them, calling Neill a “friend and mentor.” She wrote, “Sam – you were more than just a lovely actor to work with – refined, thoughtful, a skill second to none – you were a mentor, protector, and above all, friend.” Richards, who is now 46, was only 14 years old when she starred alongside the actor.BD Wong, who worked alongside him in the first films, also shared his own tribute for the actor. Sharing a selfie of the two of them on his account, he added, “Some people really “stay with you,” because they share so freely of themselves, are so comfortable in their own skin, have so much joy in their lives, even no matter what they’re going through, well perhaps of course this is because of the way that I knew him, which was relatively briefly and somewhat intensely – *perhaps*, but I’d also guess that he’s universally adored and always will be for the things I, too, saw and experienced.”He recalled on his experience of working with him again in ‘Dominion’, which was shot in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. He shared that the photo had been taken on his birthday that year, and revealed that Neill was one of the reasons why the celebration, even through quarantine and a pandemic, was one of his most special ones. He concluded his post by adding, “I’m telling you, he will be remembered so incredibly fondly and by so many more than just me. He was so generous! He was so happy to be alive, I feel. I guess that’s the takeaway: for the rest of us to try to be as present as often as possible, and happily so, before it’s over.”Joseph Mazello, who portrayed Tim Murphy in the 1993 film, also uploaded a video on his account, talking about Neill’s passing. He played the role of the second child actor in the film, and was 9 years old at the time. He talked about how happy he was about Neill’s cancer recovery, and had been praying well for the actor’s recovery. He posted the video along with the caption, “My initial, very raw reaction to the passing of Sam Neill @samneilltheprop who was only a better man than he was an actor. All my love and prayers go to you and your family. I will ALWAYS be your human piece of toast (white heart emoji).”Alessandro Nivola, who shared the screen with Neill on ‘Jurassic Park 3’ shared a photo of the two of them together on his Instagram account and posted, “Goodbye my friend.” Linda Park Hannah also shared her thoughts and prayers for the actor, witch whom she shared the screen in the third film of the franchise. She reshared a post about his passing on her account’s stories section and wrote, “RIP Sam, in the now. The first big actor I worked with who was so kind to a newbie who forgot her lines. We did a pilot almost a decade later and was just as kind and a quirky hippy at heart pure soul.”
‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ cast also reaches out
Sam Neill made a comeback to the series and reprised his role in ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’, which starred Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in the leading roles. Both of the actors also posted about Neill and remembered him soon after the news of his passing was shared online.Pratt took to his stories and reshared a post he had made around the time ‘Dominion’ was released. He wrote, “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 (white heart emoji).”Howard also penned an emotional note about Neill, remembering him for his personality and the love he had to give. She added, “Sam. When we lived together in that little bubble for Jurassic World Dominion, in a hotel seven minutes from set, for four and a half months, I said that if anyone was going to go through a pandemic together, I was so glad it was with you. I still am. 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.”She further shared that he had the zeal and passion for life, and was overall a great and amazing person. “I’m so sad for the world today but especially for those who got to see him every day. He lit up every room he walked into and made the experience of being human feel dazzling. My heart is with his family and everyone who loved him. And truly, everyone did. I love you, Sam. I miss you. I love you,” she concluded.
‘Jurassic Park’ directors also share their well wishes for Sam Neill and remember him
Steven Spielberg, the creator of the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise, remembered the beloved actor and shared a statement to Variety. “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”, he said, further concluding his statement by adding, “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 World’ director Colin Trevorrow also talked about the late actor and remembered working with him on ‘Dominion’. He stated in a social media post that, “Sam Neill was a deeply soulful and beautiful man. He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength. I’ll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It’s not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful.”Sam Neill passed away on July 13, as confirmed by his family in a social media post. They confirmed the news that the 78-year-old actor had passed away suddenly in Sydney; however, he was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his demise.
