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In 1993, Jurassic Park ruled the box office. The Steven Spielberg-directed film brought Michael Crichton’s novel to life, giving audiences a thrilling adventure involving dinosaurs. Not only was the film entertaining, but it also revolutionized special effects, pushing CGI to new heights. Just look at that Tyrannosaurus Rex breakout scene. It was filmed decades ago, but the CGI dinosaurs still look as good as the VFX creatures we see in modern films.

Of course, a good film is nothing without its cast. Jurassic Park wouldn’t be what it is without Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and all their co-stars. What has the talented cast been up to since escaping the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park? Let’s check in on them…

Sam Neill (Alan Grant)

Sam Neill played Dr. Alan Grant, a paleontologist who agreed to visit John Hammond’s prehistoric theme park. While he was impressed with the dinosaurs, Alan had reservations about the ethical implications of cloning extinct creatures. When the dinosaurs got loose, Alan protected Hammond’s grandchildren, Tim and Lex, helping them navigate through the island until they reached shelter. Neill reprised his role as Alan Grant in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion.

After Jurassic Park, Sam Neill played the title character in the 1998 television miniseries Merlin. The role earned him numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. He’s had a busy film career, appearing in movies such as The Zookeeper, The Hunter, and United Passions. In 2022, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This means he’s a knight and is addressed as Sir Sam Neill. He is currently filming a role in the upcoming film Godzilla x Kong: Supernova. His experience in Jurassic Park will come in handy there.

Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler)

Laura Dern played Dr. Ellie Sattler, a paleobotanist who accompanied Alan Grant to Jurassic Park. Ellie was romantically involved with Alan and would often tease him about his dislike of children. After Dennis Nedry shut down the park, Ellie worked with Hammond and his team to restore the power. Dern reprised her role as Ellie Sattler in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion.

Dern has kept herself busy since Jurassic Park. She has won numerous Golden Globe Awards, including Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for her role in the HBO series Enlightened. Her role in the film Wild earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She would be nominated again (and win this time) for her role in Marriage Story. You may also remember her for her role as Vice Admiral Holdo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Jeff Goldblum (Ian Malcolm)

Jeff Goldblum played Dr. Ian Malcolm, a mathematician who was a big believer of the Chaos Theory. Malcolm believed that the park was always doomed to fail, and unfortunately, he was proven right. An attack from a Tyrannosaurus left Ian injured for much of the movie, but he was able to get off the island safely. Goldblum would reprise his role as Ian Malcolm in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Jurassic World Dominion.

Jeff Goldblum has kept himself busy. He starred in the 1996 action film Independence Day and its 2016 sequel Independence Day: Resurgence. He’s worked on numerous Wes Anderson projects, including Asteroid City, Isle of Dogs, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He played the Grandmaster in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in projects such as What…If? and Thor: Ragnarok. He recently played the Wizard in the 2024 musical Wicked, and will reprise the role for the upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good.

Joseph Mazzello (Tim Murphy)

Joseph Mazzello played Tim Murphy, John Hammond’s grandson. Tim was a dinosaur nut who idolized Alan Grant. When the dinosaurs got loose, Tim survived being thrown off a cliff in a car, getting electrocuted, and being hunted by raptors in a kitchen. Mazzello would reprise his role as Tim Murphy for a cameo appearance in The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

After Jurassic Park, Mazzello appeared in movies such as The Cure, Simon Birch, and Star Kid. Steven Spielberg helped him get into college by writing a letter of recommendation to the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Mazzello used the money from his cameo in The Lost World: Jurassic Park to pay for school. After college, he continued his film career, appearing in movies such as The Social Network, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Ariana Richards (Lex Murphy)

Ariana Richards played Lex Murphy, John Hammond’s granddaughter. When the park lost power, Lex survived an attack from a Tyrannosaurus and journeyed through the park with her brother Tim and Dr. Alan Grant. When they reached the command center, Lex used her computer skills to help restore the park’s operating systems. Richards would reprise her role as Lex Murphy for a cameo appearance in The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

After Jurassic Park, Richards appeared on episodes of Boy Meets World, Capitol Critters, and Total Security. She’s also appeared in the films Tremors 3: Back to Perfection and Angus. While Richards still does occasional acting projects, such as the web series Mr Snuggles, her main focus is on her painting career. Richards is a successful artist whose work has received numerous accolades, including first place in the National Professional Oil Painting Competition.

Wayne Knight (Dennis Nedry)

Wayne Knight played Dennis Nedry, Jurassic Park’s computer programmer. Feeling overworked and underpaid, Nedry agreed to commit corporate espionage for one of John Hammond’s corporate rivals. Nedry turned off the park’s power in order to cover his tracks, setting the plot’s central conflict in motion. He met his untimely end after encountering a stray Dilophosaurus.

Wayne Knight has kept himself busy doing comedy roles for television and film. He’s had roles in movies such as Space Jam, Rat Race, Darby and the Dead, and more. His television roles include Don Orville on the sitcom 3^rd Rock from the Sun, Andrew Batten on Woke Up Dead, and Haskell Lutz on The Exes. He’s also a prolific voice actor, appearing in projects such as Toy Story 2, Kung Fu Panda, and The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.

Richard Attenborough (John Hammond)

Richard Attenborough played John Hammond, the eccentric millionaire who founded Jurassic Park. Hammond is eager to show off the park to Dr. Grant, Dr. Sattler, and Dr. Malcolm, hoping their endorsement will calm his worried investors. However, his faith in his project is shaken after the dinosaurs get loose, and people are killed. Attenborough would reprise his role as Hammond in The Lost World: Jurassic Park.  

After Jurassic Park, Attenborough played Kris Kringle in the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34^th Street. He appeared in films such as Hamlet, Elizabeth, and a filmed version of the Broadway play Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Attenborough also directed and produced numerous films, such as Shadowlands, In Love and War, and Closing the Ring. His final acting role was narrating the 2002 film Puckoon. Attenborough passed away at Denville Hall on August 24, 2014. He was days away from his 91^st birthday.

Samuel L. Jackson (Ray Arnold)

Samuel L. Jackson played Ray Arnold, Jurassic Park’s chief engineer. Arnold spends a good portion of the film in the control room, trying to undo Nedry’s system shutdown. The character is last seen entering a maintenance show to manually reset the power. When Dr. Sattler goes to check on him, all she finds is a severed arm (and some hungry raptors).

If you haven’t seen Samuel L. Jackson in anything since Jurassic Park, then you might be hiding under a rock. The actor has had numerous iconic film projects, including Pulp Fiction, Shaft, Snakes on a Plane, and Django Unchained. He also plays Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You know, two of the biggest film franchises in the world. All in all, I’d say he did pretty good for someone who died in the last act of Jurassic Park.

Who turned down the lead role in Jurassic Park?

The role of Dr. Alan Grant was initially offered to Harrison Ford. “My first choice was Harrison,” director Steven Spielberg said in an Entertainment Weekly interview. “I went to the art department and I had them do a photorealistic painting of the T. rex chasing Harrison with two kids and put Harrison’s face on the character of the archaeologist, and sent the script, the book, and the picture to Harrison. The next day I got a call, and he said, ‘This is not for me, pal.’ That was the end of the conversation.”

Who else was offered the role of Dr. Ellie Sattler in Jurassic Park?

Before Laura Dern was cast as Dr. Ellie Sattler, a few other actresses were considered for the role. Stacy Haiduk was considered for the role, but was unavailable due to her role in the soap opera The Round Table. Robin Wright Penn turned down the role, saying it wasn’t for her. Juliette Binoche also turned down the role. Spielberg was reportedly considering Helen Hunt and Gwenyth Paltrow. In the end, Laura Dern got the role, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else portraying Dr. Sattler.

Did anyone from the Jurassic Park cast date in real life?

Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern hit it off during the filming of Jurassic Park and began to date in real life. The couple got engaged but ultimately went their separate ways in 1997. However, they appear to be on good terms. Dern and Goldblum did multiple interviews together during the press tour for Jurassic World Dominion, speaking of their warm friendship, and their joy at working together again.

Here's how to watch the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World franchise in order!