Skip to content
topics.

Steven Spielberg pays tribute to Sam Neill

moviesJul 13, 2026

Following the death of Sam Neill on Monday at age 78, Steven Spielberg issued a public tribute calling Neill "exceptionally collaborative" and saying he "will never be forgotten." Spielberg said he "adored making all the 'JURASSIC' movies with him," naming co-stars Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum and describing their cast as a "Jurassic family." Neill was best known for playing paleontologist Alan Grant in Spielberg's 1993 film Jurassic Park and he reprised that role in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World: Dominion. Variety and other outlets published Spielberg's remarks as part of broader coverage of Neill's passing.

Key Highlights

Sam Neill died on Monday at age 78.
Spielberg called Neill "exceptionally collaborative" and said he "will never be forgotten."
Neill played Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and two later sequels.
3 sources
variety.comSteven Spielberg Praises ‘Jurassic Park’ Star Sam Neill as ‘Exceptionally Collaborative’ in Tribute to Late Actor: He ‘Will Never Be Forgotten’fxoxo.comSteven Spielberg Praises ‘Jurassic Park’ Star Sam Neill as ‘Exceptionally Collaborative’ in Tribute to Late Actor: He ‘Will Never Be Forgotten’ - F*XOXOnews.google.comSteven Spielberg Mourns Sam Neill: Jurassic Park Star 'Never Forgotten' - Variety

Related

Sam Neill, Jurassic Park and The Piano actor, dies at 78movies12 states sue to block Paramount’s Warner Bros. takeovermoviesSteven Spielberg pays tribute to Sam NeillmoviesDigger trailer debuts, Tom Cruise headlines Iñárritu filmmovies