Joseph Mazzello, who portrayed Tim Murphy in the 1993 blockbuster film Jurassic Park, has shared a tearful tribute to his late co-star Sam Neill, who died Monday at age 78. Mazzello, who was nine years old when he starred alongside Neill, reflected on their professional relationship and Neill's impact on his life.
Mazzello stated that he and Neill had remained in touch over the years. He recounted a recent instance where Neill commented on a social media post about Mazzello selling a boat, a gesture that deeply moved him. "But he was still rooting for me 33 years later... That was so special to me, to know that. This was a defining moment in my life, a defining collaboration and partnership," Mazzello said in a social media video.
The actor described Neill as an exceptional scene partner, noting that it is not always easy to work with child actors. "It's not easy working with kids, but Sam only pretended to hate us! He was an amazing scene partner, it doesn't feel that long ago that we were ad-libbing and climbing down trees together. I'm so thankful to him," he added, visibly emotional.
Neill, best known for his role as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, had recently announced that he was cancer-free after a battle with the disease. His family confirmed his death in Sydney, Australia, describing it as "sudden and unexpected." Neill was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer in 2022 and publicly shared his diagnosis in 2023.
Other Jurassic Park cast members and director Steven Spielberg also paid tribute to Neill. Laura Dern, who played Dr. Ellie Sattler, remembered Neill as a "beloved lifetime friend" and a "true and noble gentleman." Spielberg expressed his gratitude for Neill's performances and recalled their collaborative work on the Jurassic films, stating, "Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world."