Laura Dern has paid tribute to her Jurassic Park co-star Sam Neill following his death at age 78. Dern, who played paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler, the partner of Neill’s character Dr. Alan Grant in the smash 1993 movie, described the New Zealand actor as a “beloved lifetime friend” in a statement to People. “He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit,” Dern added. “He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.” Neill’s family announced Monday that the actor had died on Monday in Sydney, Australia. No cause of death was given, but his family stated that he was “cancer free” after being diagnosed with blood cancer in 2022. Steven Spielberg, who directed Jurassic Park, also paid tribute to Neill. In a statement to Variety, Spielberg said he owed a debt of gratitude to other directors who cast him in films such as 1977’s Sleeping Dogs, 1979’s My Brilliant Career, and 1989’s Dead Calm, because they brought Neill “to my attention” as he was so “brilliant” in them.
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