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EntertainmentJurassic Park star Sam Neill dies at 78, Spielberg and Dern lead tributes
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Steven Spielberg has paid a heartfelt tribute to actor Sam Neill, who he directed in the first Jurassic Park movie, following Neill's death at the age of 78. In a statement to Variety, Spielberg expressed his sadness and gratitude to the filmmakers who cast Neill in roles that brought him to Spielberg's attention. Spielberg praised Neill as exceptionally collaborative and a loving father, noting the contrast with his Jurassic Park character. He said Neill will never be forgotten by the 'Jurassic family' or his millions of fans. Laura Dern also shared a tribute, calling Neill her beloved lifetime friend and a true gentleman. Other Hollywood peers and former co-stars have been paying respects on social media.
Source report
Steven Spielberg has paid a heartfelt tribute to actor Sam Neill, whom he directed in the first Jurassic Park film.
On Monday, the Oscar-winning filmmaker was among the Hollywood stars to honour Neill following his death at the age of 78.
In a statement to Variety, Spielberg shared how "saddened" he was by the loss. He began by expressing his "gratitude" to filmmakers Roger Donaldson, Gillian Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce "for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention," which ultimately led to Neill being cast in Jurassic Park.
Spielberg said:
"Sam was exceptionally collaborative. It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children.
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"I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him. Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world."
Laura Dern's Tribute
Laura Dern also shared her own tribute with the US outlet, which read:
"Sam was my beloved lifetime friend.
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"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."
She concluded: "I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant."
Following the news of Neill's death on Monday morning, a number of his Hollywood peers and former co-stars have been paying their respects on social media.
Source
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Western
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Sam Neill, 'Jurassic Park' Star, Dies at 78 in Sydney