How Sam Neill’s Jurassic Park performance inspired a generation of dinosaur hunters

OpinionOpinion byNic RawlenceOther·21 Jul, 2026 07:00 AM6 mins to readThe death of Sam Neill prompted tributes, especially from palaeontologists inspired by his Jurassic Park character. Photo / Getty ImagesThe sudden death of actor Sam Neill prompted tributes from colleagues and fans worldwide. But the news also resonated strongly with many palaeontologists, for whom Neill’s character in Jurassic Park, Dr Alan Grant, was a pivotal inspiration for their career choice.

“I was preparing for a fossil show-and-tell the day