{"id":2042364,"date":"2026-07-14T09:05:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T06:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2042364"},"modified":"2026-07-14T09:05:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T06:05:59","slug":"laura-dern-and-steven-spielberg-pay-tribute-to-lifetime-friend-sam-neill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2042364","title":{"rendered":"Laura Dern and Steven Spielberg pay tribute to \u201clifetime friend\u201d Sam Neill"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Neill-Dern-Spielberg.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Film News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Laura Dern and Steven Spielberg pay tribute to \u201clifetime friend\u201d Sam Neill<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>&#8220;I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Victoria Luxford<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-14T10:05:59+01:00\">14th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Neill-Dern-Spielberg-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"Sam Neill\" title=\"Neill Dern Spielberg\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Steven Spielberg on the set of 1993&#8217;s &#8216;Jurassic Park&#8217;. CREDIT: Murray Close\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Steven Spielberg and Laura Dern have both paid tribute to their <em>Jurassic Park<\/em> collaborator Sam Neill, who died on Monday (July 13) aged 78.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE: Sam Neill, \u2018Jurassic Park\u2019 and \u2018Peaky Blinders\u2019 actor, dies aged 78<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In a statement on his official Instagram account, his family shared: \u201cIt is with immense sadness that the wh\u0101nau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSam 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\u2019s Private Hospital for their incredible care.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMore 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DauK0SrT6uJ\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Neill was known for a number of films and TV series throughout his career, including horror classic <em>Event Horizon<\/em>, Oscar-winning drama <em>The Piano<\/em>, and hit series <em>Peaky Blinders<\/em>. His most famous role, however, was that of Dr. Alan Grant in 1993\u2019s <em>Jurassic Park<\/em>. He would reprise the role twice more, in 2001\u2019s<em> Jurassic Park III<\/em> and 2022\u2019s <em>Jurassic World Dominion<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The director of the first film, Steven Spielberg, and Laura Dern, who starred in the movie as Dr. Ellie Sattler, both released statements to <em>Variety<\/em> commenting on his passing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSam was my beloved lifetime friend,\u201d Dern said. \u201cHe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Spielberg said he was \u201csaddened\u201d to hear of Neill\u2019s death. \u201cI 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 <em>Jurassic Park<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSam was exceptionally collaborative,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI adored making all the <em>Jurassic<\/em> movies with him. Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our <em>Jurassic<\/em> family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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 \u201ccrushed\u201d initially, it worked out for the best because the role \u201cbelongs to\u201d Neill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Jurassic Park<\/li>\n<li>Jurassic World<\/li>\n<li>Peaky Blinders<\/li>\n<li>Steven Spielberg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div 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class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Steven Spielberg and Laura Dern have both paid tribute to their <em>Jurassic Park<\/em> collaborator Sam Neill, who died on Monday (July 13) aged 78.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE: Sam Neill, \u2018Jurassic Park\u2019 and \u2018Peaky Blinders\u2019 actor, dies aged 78<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In a statement on his official Instagram account, his family shared: \u201cIt is with immense sadness that the wh\u0101nau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSam 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\u2019s Private Hospital for their incredible care.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMore 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DauK0SrT6uJ\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Neill was known for a number of films and TV series throughout his career, including horror classic <em>Event Horizon<\/em>, Oscar-winning drama <em>The Piano<\/em>, and hit series <em>Peaky Blinders<\/em>. His most famous role, however, was that of Dr. Alan Grant in 1993\u2019s <em>Jurassic Park<\/em>. He would reprise the role twice more, in 2001\u2019s<em> Jurassic Park III<\/em> and 2022\u2019s <em>Jurassic World Dominion<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The director of the first film, Steven Spielberg, and Laura Dern, who starred in the movie as Dr. Ellie Sattler, both released statements to <em>Variety<\/em> commenting on his passing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSam was my beloved lifetime friend,\u201d Dern said. \u201cHe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Spielberg said he was \u201csaddened\u201d to hear of Neill\u2019s death. \u201cI 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 <em>Jurassic Park<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSam was exceptionally collaborative,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI adored making all the <em>Jurassic<\/em> movies with him. Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our <em>Jurassic<\/em> family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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 \u201ccrushed\u201d initially, it worked out for the best because the role \u201cbelongs to\u201d Neill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/film\/laura-dern-and-steven-spielberg-pay-tribute-to-lifetime-friend-sam-neill-3956846&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Neill-Dern-Spielberg.jpg&#8221;] NewsFilm News Laura Dern and Steven Spielberg pay tribute to \u201clifetime friend\u201d Sam Neill &#8220;I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant&#8221; By Victoria Luxford 14th July 2026 Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Steven Spielberg on the set of 1993&#8217;s &#8216;Jurassic Park&#8217;. CREDIT: Murray Close\/Getty Images Steven Spielberg and Laura Dern have [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2042364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2042364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2042364"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2042364\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2042364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2042364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2042364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}