Jeff Goldblum pays emotional tribute to Jurassic Park co-star Sam Neill after his death at 78
Washington, July 14
Jeff Goldblum has paid an emotional tribute to his longtime 'Jurassic Park' co-star Sam Neill, who passed away at the age of 78 on July 13, 2026.
Following confirmation of Neill's sudden and unexpected death by his family, Goldblum shared iconic photographs from their time filming the 1993 blockbuster on Instagram, writing, "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever."
Neill died suddenly in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by his family. According to the details shared by his family, the actor was cancer-free at the time of his death, having previously undergone treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The family also expressed gratitude to St Vincent's Private Hospital for its "incredible care."
Goldblum's tribute was among a wave of condolences from across Hollywood, with colleagues and collaborators remembering Neill's legacy both on and off screen.
Laura Dern, who starred opposite Neill in Jurassic Park, told USA TODAY that he was a "true and noble gentleman" who showed her the depths of loyalty and love, as per People magazine.
Director Steven Spielberg remembered Neill on Amblin Entertainment's social media channels as an exceptionally collaborative actor and a deeply loving father.
Actor Cillian Murphy, who worked with Neill on Peaky Blinders, told Variety that he was "one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people" in the industry.
Tributes also came from political leaders in New Zealand, with current Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern celebrating Neill's five-decade contribution to bringing Kiwi stories to audiences around the world.
Best known to generations of moviegoers as the pragmatic palaeontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World franchises, Neill leaves behind a prolific career spanning more than 50 years.
His filmography includes acclaimed performances in The Piano, The Hunt for Red October, and Taika Waititi's Hunt for the Wilderpeople, cementing his place as one of cinema's most enduring actors.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So sad 😢 I remember watching Jurassic Park for the first time on Doordarshan when I was a kid—it was a huge event in our colony. Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum had such magical chemistry. The way Jeff paid tribute shows how close they were. "The next great adventure begins" 💔 That line hits different now.
It's incredible how many people he touched—from Spielberg to Cillian Murphy to the PM of New Zealand. I think what stood out about Neill was that he wasn't just a star; he was a genuinely kind human being. The bit about him being cancer-free at the end is bittersweet. We often think of celebrities as untouchable, but they face the same fears. My prayers are with his family. 🕊️
As someone from the West who has lived in India, I know how much Jurassic Park means to Indian audiences. It was a shared global moment. Sam Neill's portrayal of Dr. Grant—that mix of scientific rigor and human warmth—resonated everywhere. I'm glad he lived long enough to see how much his work meant. Rest easy, Sam.
What a life well-lived! 50 years in the industry and still remembered as the kindest person—that says something. I especially love that the PM of New Zealand honored him. Such a dignified man. I wish our media here covered international cinema deaths with this much respect. Sam Neill's legacy will live on. 🦕❤️
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