Sam Neill, a foundational star of the blockbuster franchise "Jurassic Park," has died at the age of 78. His death, announced Monday, has led to a retrospective look at the careers and lives of the original "Jurassic Park" cast.

Neill, who portrayed paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant across three "Jurassic Park" films, including the original 1993 classic and "Jurassic World Dominion" in 2022, was known for his roles in "The Piano" and "Peaky Blinders," among many others. His family announced his passing occurred on July 13 in Sydney, Australia, following a brief illness. Despite recently announcing he was cancer-free after a battle with lymphoma, his death was described as sudden and unexpected.

The "Jurassic Park" franchise, directed by Steven Spielberg, was a global phenomenon, captivating audiences and grossing over $912 million worldwide. The film's success launched the careers of its then-lesser-known stars and remains a significant entry in cinematic history.

The Original Cast's Journeys

Laura Dern, who played paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler, has continued a highly successful acting career. Post-"Jurassic Park," she garnered acclaim for roles in "Big Little Lies," "Marriage Story," and "Little Women," earning Oscar nominations. She is currently filming the fourth series of "The White Lotus."

Jeff Goldblum, who portrayed mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm, has maintained a prominent presence in film and television. His work includes "Independence Day," numerous Wes Anderson films like "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and a role as the Grandmaster in Marvel's "Thor: Ragnarok." He is also known for his jazz performances with his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, and recently appeared in the "Wicked" film adaptations.

Ariana Richards, who was 12 when she played Lex Murphy, has largely stepped away from acting. After earning a degree in Fine Art and Drama, she has found success as a painter, often creating portraits and landscapes, and has even depicted dinosaurs in her artwork. She made a surprise appearance at the "Jurassic World: Dominion" premiere in 2022.

Joseph Mazzello, who portrayed Tim Murphy, Lex's younger brother, has also had a notable career. He starred in "The Social Network" and portrayed John Deacon in the Oscar-winning biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Samuel L. Jackson, who played chief park engineer Ray Arnold, has become one of Hollywood's most recognizable and highest-grossing actors. Following "Jurassic Park," his career exploded with roles in "Pulp Fiction," the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, and as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

BD Wong, who portrayed geneticist Dr. Henry Wu, has continued his role in the "Jurassic World" franchise and taken on numerous other acting jobs. He is well-known for his roles in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Oz," and the Broadway production "M. Butterfly."

Wayne Knight, known before "Jurassic Park" for his role as Newman in "Seinfeld," played park programmer Dennis Nedry. His career has included roles in "Space Jam," "3rd Rock from the Sun," and voice work for the animated series "Harley Quinn."

Richard Attenborough, who portrayed Jurassic Park creator John Hammond, passed away in 2014 at the age of 90. He was a distinguished actor and director, with a career spanning over 60 years, including directing the Oscar-winning film "Gandhi."

Sam Neill's final roles include "Godzilla x Kong: Supernova" and "The Last Resort," both scheduled for posthumous release in 2027. He had been living on his vineyard in New Zealand in recent years.