Sam Neill's 'Jurassic Park' costars Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern pay tribute

Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum are sharing emotional tributes to their "Jurassic Park" costar Sam Neill.

The actors both honored Neill on July 13 after the actor's family confirmed his "sudden and unexpected" death.

"Sam was my beloved lifetime friend … He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit," Dern said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. "He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant."

Goldblum, meanwhile, took to Instagram to share a series of photos of himself, Dern and Neill together in the original "Jurassic Park." He wrote, "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever. "

'Jurassic Park' cast honors Sam Neill

Neill was best known for playing paleontologist Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park," in which Dern starred as paleobotanist Ellie Sattler and Goldblum played mathematician Ian Malcolm.

He later reprised the role in 2001's "Jurassic Park III" opposite Dern and in 2022's "Jurassic World Dominion." The latter was the first "Jurassic" since the original to bring Neill, Dern and Goldblum back together on screen.

Spielberg paid tribute to Neill in a statement shared with USA TODAY. "I adored making all the 'Jurassic' movies with him," the filmmaker said. "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."

Chris Pratt, who starred with Neill in "Jurassic World Dominion," wrote in an Instagram story that he was "devastated" to hear of the actor's death. "It was a privilege getting to work with him," Pratt wrote. "All the laughs and memories, I'll cherish forever. He is a true legend."

BD Wong, who played Dr. Henry Wu in "Jurassic Park" and several of its sequels, also remembered the actor's "unforgettable warmth and wit and ease in any situation."

"He was so funny and warm/quick/wise and just emanated talent and integrity and positive energy," Wong wrote. "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."

Family mourns Sam Neill death at 78

Neill's family announced his "sudden and unexpected" death in an Instagram post on July 13.

"It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia," the post said. "Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."

Neill had been diagnosed with stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer, in 2022. But in April, he shared that he had undergone a clinical trial in Australia and was cancer-free. The actor's family said his "loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free."

Outside of "Jurassic Park," Neill was known for starring in films like "Event Horizon" and "In the Mouth of Madness." He has several movies set to be released posthumously, including the latest Godzilla and King Kong movie "Godzilla x Kong: Supernova," which hits theaters in March 2027.

Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin pay tribute to Sam Neill

Other actors who shared tributes to Neill included Toni Collette, who worked with him on the movie "A Long Way Down." In an Instagram post, she wrote, "I love you, dear Sam. You hero. You legend. You sweetheart. Our great friend. You are already missed so very much. Continue in peace wherever you are."

Alec Baldwin, who starred with Neill in "The Hunt for Red October," said in an Instagram video he was "stricken" to learn of the actor's death, and he sent "love to his family."

Nicole Kidman, Neill's costar in "Dead Calm," told the Sydney Morning Herald she was "immensely saddened" by the loss. "Sam was one of the greats, a joy to be around," she told the outlet. "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."

Teresa Palmer, Neill's costar in the movie "Ride Like a Girl," posted on Instagram, "This is such a heartbreaking loss for our film industry, for your family, your friends, and everyone whose life you touched- all the countless people across the globe that you made an imprint on. Sending so much love to everyone who knew and loved you. Rest easy, beautiful soul."

Richard E. Grant noted he knew Neill for three decades before he "finally" got the chance to work with him on the movie "Palm Beach," released in 2019. "An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense," Grant wrote. "Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life."

"Jurassic World Dominion" director Colin Trevorrow also remembered Neill as 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. It's not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful."

Cillian Murphy, 'Peaky Blinders' cast pay tribute

Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy faced off against Neill, as villainous Chester Campbell, in Seasons 1 and 2 of "Peaky Blinders." Murphy paid tribute to his screen nemesis in a statement received by USA TODAY.

"Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure," Murphy wrote. "He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors…RIP."

The "Peaky Blinders" official Instagram page mourned the loss with a post crediting Neill's role as a vital spark for the hit BBC series.

"We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died," the post read. "Sam's portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages. A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny and supremely entertaining to watch. Sam was one of the key forces that got 'Peaky Blinders' off to a running start. For that we will be forever grateful."

Contributing: Bryan Alexander and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sam Neill's 'Jurassic Park' costars Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern pay tribute

Reporting by Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 3:34 PM.