Hollywood remembers 'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill
The Hollywood community is remembering prolific actor Sam Neill, following news of his death Monday.
Laura Dern, who starred in 1993's "Jurassic Park" as Dr. Ellie Sattler alongside Neill, who played Dr. Alan Grant, remembered her "beloved lifetime friend" in a statement to ABC News.
"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," Dern said in a statement to ABC News. "I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant."
Toni Collette, who starred with Neill in 2014's "A Long Way Down" and 2002's "Dirty Deeds," called Neill a "legend" in an Instagram tribute.
"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," Collette wrote.
Richard E. Grant, who co-starred with Neill in 2019's "Palm Beach," remembered his longtime friend in an Instagram post.
"Knew @samneilltheprop for 3 decades and finally worked with him on PALM BEACH in 2018," Grant captioned the post, which included several photos of Neill. "An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life."
He added, "Sail on, kind Sir."
"Jurassic World" director Colin Trevorrow, who worked with Neill on 2022's "Jurassic World Dominion," described Neill as a "deeply soulful and beautiful man."
"He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength," Trevorrow wrote in an Instagram tribute. "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."
Fellow New Zealand actor Karl Urban expressed condolences for Neill's family and friends in a comment on Instagram.
"Sam was truly brilliant. An inspiration for many who followed in his trailblazing footsteps," he wrote. "A beautiful man, a national treasure who gave so much to New Zealand and the to world. God speed Sam."
Jorge Garcia, who starred alongside Neill in the 2012 series "Alcatraz," shared a photo of himself with Neill on Instagram, writing in the accompanying caption, "Such a lovely man. He will be missed."
Actor Cary Elwes, who co-starred with Neill in the 1994 film "The Jungle Book" as Capt. William Boone and Col. Geoffrey Brydon, respectively, remembered his fellow performer as a generous storyteller.
"I had the great privilege of working with Sam in India many moons ago. He was everything you hoped he would be. Beautiful in every way possible. Gentle, wise, compassionate, giving, funny and of course immensely talented," Elwes wrote in the caption of an Instagram post. "A great raconteur who had that twinkle in his eye that told you he knew the secret of the universe. In other words a genuine sweetheart."
"Those of us who were fortunate to share time with him on this planet are better for it," he added. "We send our deepest, deepest condolences to his children, family, friends and fans of which I will always be one. God speed, Sam. May angels guide you on your journey."
Neill died Monday at the age of 78, according to a statement shared on the actor's social media account.
The veteran actor had revealed publicly in 2023 that he had undergone treatment for blood cancer, including taking a monthly chemotherapy drug, but had announced he was cancer-free in April this year.
In their statement Monday, Neill's family and loved ones said the actor was still cancer-free when he died.
"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life," the statement read. "The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free."
The statement also expressed "deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care."
"More 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," it added.
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