Pop Culture
Laura Dern Calls Sam Neill Her ‘Dream Leading Man’ in Heartfelt Tribute After His Death
Dern called the late actor her “dream leading man” in an instagram carousel that showed them throughout the years
ByJaelani Turner-Williams
July 15, 2026
Laura Dern honored Sam Neill, whom she called her “beloved lifetime friend” in an emotional Instagram post
Following Neill’s death on Monday at 78 years old in Sydney, Australia, Dern posted a tribute on Tuesday (July 14) about their three decades of friendship and starring together in the Jurassic Park franchise
“Sam was my beloved lifetime friend,” Dern captioned the post. “He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit. He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.”
Neill and Dern starred in three Jurassic films, including the 1993 inaugural film, the third installment, which was released in 2001, along with Jurassic World Dominion in 2022
Neill’s family announced his passing on Instagram, writing that he “was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.”
The statement revealed that Neill’s the death was “sudden and unexpected,” but that Neill was remained cancer-free at the time. In 2022, the late entertainer was diagnosed with stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2022 and announced he was free of the disease in April following a clinical trial in Australia
More condolences on social media poured in from fellow Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum, Steven Spielberg, who directed the first and second installment, and Cillian Murphy, Nicole Kidman and more
Related Stories
Pop Culture
Sam Neill, Actor Most Widely Known for ‘Jurassic Park’, Dies at 78
The actor’s family announced his sudden and unexpected passing Monday in Sydney, where he died surrounded by family
danbarna2 days ago
Pop Culture
Sam Neill and Laura Dern Reunite in This ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ Exclusive Clip
Check out this new Dominion exclusive clip and what Sam Neill told Complex about playing Alan Grant nearly three decades after the original
Karla Rodriguez1504 days ago
Pop Culture
Laura Dern and Sam Neill Discuss ‘Jurassic Park’ 20-Year Age Gap Romance Decades Later
Laura Dern and Sam Neill reflected on their ‘Jurassic Park’ characters being romantically linked in the original film despite a 20-year age gap
Jose Martinez1515 days ago
Trending
1StyleKAWS x MLB Collection to Launch This Month: What to Know
2SportsThe 25 Best UFC Fighters of All Time
3MusicCharli Baltimore Recalls DMX’s Reaction After She Fed His Dog Human Food: ‘He Came Flying’
4SportsVictoria Beckham Caught With Stone-Faced Reaction to England Scoring Huge World Cup Goal
5BetsJose Ramirez Injury Update: When Will Guardians Star Return?
6Pop CultureJennifer Lopez’s $50 Million Beverly Hills Mansion Buyer Drops Out
Editor’s Pick
MusicThe Best Albums Of 2026 (So Far)
StyleHow to Style Soccer Jerseys
MusicThe 15 Best Rap Verses Of 2026 (So Far)
MusicHip-Hop Media Power Ranking: The 2026 Edition
SneakersEvery Air Jordan Releasing in 2026
