Stars pay tribute to 'Jurassic Park,' 'Peaky Blinders' actor Sam Neill

July 13 (UPI) -- Celebrities are paying tribute to Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders actor Sam Neill following news of his death.

Neill, a Northern Ireland-born and New Zealand-raised performer whose other credits included Merlin, The Tudors, Crusoe and the Jurassic Park sequel Jurassic Park Dominion, died Monday at age 78 in Sydney.

Jurassic Park director Steven Spielberg remembered Neill, who played paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the original Jurassic Park (1993), Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022), as a "brilliant" actor.

"Sam was exceptionally collaborative," Spielberg said in a statement. "It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were smelly and messy because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children."

"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."

Dern, who portrayed paleobotanist and Grant's onetime love interest Ellie Sattler in the Jurassic Park franchise, honored Neill as a "beloved lifetime friend."

"He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit," the actress said in a statement. "He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant."

Jurassic World Dominion director Colin Trevorrow praised Neill as "a deeply soulful and beautiful man."

"He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength," the filmmaker said. "I'll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It's not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful."

The Peaky Blinders team also paid tribute to Neill, who played the villainous Chief Inspector Chester Campbell in Seasons 1 and 2, on the show's official Instagram account.

"We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died. Sam's portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages. A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny, and supremely entertaining the watch," the post reads.

"Sam was one of the key forces that got Peaky Blinders off to a running start, for which we will forever be grateful. Our love and thoughts are with his family."

Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who starred in the lead role of Tommy Shelby on Peaky Blinders, remembered Neill as a kind person and talented actor.

"Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure. He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors. RIP," Murphy said in a statement.

Australian actress Nicole Kidman, who starred with Neill in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm, told the Sydney Morning Herald she was "immensely saddened" by the news of the actor's death.

"Sam was one of the greats, a joy to be around," she said. "We met when I was just 18 and he took me under his wing and we stayed friends for life. He was charming, kind, funny and intelligent. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family."

Swazi-British actor Richard E. Grant honored Neill as a longtime friend and his Palm Beach co-star.

"An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my life ... Sail on, kind Sir," he wrote.

Australian actress Toni Collette, who starred with Neill in Dirty Deeds and A Long Way Down, voiced her love for the actor on Instagram.

"I love you, dear Sam. You hero. You legend. You sweetheart. Our great friend. You are already missed so very much. Continue in peace wherever you are," she said.

Neill also drew tributes from New Zealand actor Karl Urban, British-American actor and television personality Alan Cumming, Australian singer Kylie Minogue, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM.