Sam Neill, the acclaimed New Zealand actor celebrated for his role as Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park," has died at the age of 78. His family announced his passing on Instagram, stating he died "surrounded by family" and that his death was "sudden and unexpected." The statement also noted that Neill remained cancer-free.
Neill had previously spoken about his fight with Stage III blood cancer. In an interview with The Guardian, he expressed a desire for more time, saying, "I’d really like another decade or two," but added he was not afraid of dying.
Colleagues and public figures paid tribute to the actor. Nicole Kidman, who co-starred with Neill in "Dead Calm," shared that they met when she was 18 and he took her under his wing, remaining lifelong friends. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon posted on X, calling Neill "one of the greats" and stating his work would be "watched and loved long after all of us."
Neill originated the role of paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the original "Jurassic Park." He reprised the character in "Jurassic Park III" (2001) and "Jurassic World: Dominion" (2022), reuniting with co-stars Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. Spielberg had initially considered Harrison Ford for the part but ultimately felt Neill was the perfect fit, declaring, "He's Alan Grant, and it now belongs to him."
"Jurassic Park" is available for rent or purchase on digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Rental prices are approximately $3.99, with purchase options around $7.99, varying by platform. The film is not currently streaming on Peacock, where it was previously available. However, the more recent installments, "Jurassic World: Dominion" and "Jurassic World Rebirth," can be streamed on Netflix, which offers subscription plans starting at $7.99 per month.