‘Jurassic Park’ cast: Where are they now?

Sam Neill (Dr. Alan Grant)

The incomparable Sam Neill dons a red bandana and a spotty American accent to play renowned child-hating/dino-loving paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant. Gruff but lovable, he’s a tough egg to crack, but just like the park, his fences were eventually torn down.

The New Zealand actor first rose to prominence in Australia, where he starred opposite Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career (1979), followed by turns in Possession (1981) and The Hunt for Red October (1990). No stranger to scaring kids, Neill went on to star in the horror flicks In the Mouth of Madness (1995), Event Horizon (1997), as well as Daybreakers (2009).

He’s also acted in many films in his native New Zealand, including The Piano (1993) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016). Neill eventually returned to the dinosaur franchise in Jurassic Park III (2001) and once again in Jurassic World Dominion (2022).

On the small screen, Neill starred in NBC’s miniseries Merlin as the legendary Arthurian wizard. His other TV credits include The Tudors, Alcatraz, Peaky Blinders, and Apples Never Fall.

In 2022, Neill underwent chemotherapy for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, which is currently in remission. The actor also owns a winery in New Zealand called Two Paddocks, and released his memoir — Did I Ever Tell You This? — in 2023.

Neill has four children. He married makeup artist Noriko Watanabe in 1989, eventually separating in 2017.

Laura Dern (Dr. Ellie Sattler)

Gracious and tenacious, Dr. Ellie Sattler isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. When not elbow-deep in dino dung or outrunning raptors, Laura Dern’s heartfelt performance in Jurassic Park shows why women really deserve to inherit the Earth — and all of the acting awards.

Already a seasoned young actress as the daughter of acting veterans Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd, Dern got her start with hits like Mask (1985) and the David Lynch films Blue Velvet (1986) and Wild at Heart (1990). Earning an Oscar nom for her lead role in 1991’s Rambling Rose, her career continues to thrive to this day.

Dern landed a role in Joe Johnston’s October Sky in 1999 and reunited with the director for Jurassic Park III in 2001. She went on to star in I Am Sam (2001), Novocaine (2001), and Recount (2008).

The Dernaissance began in the 2010s, starting with Mike White’s HBO drama series Enlightened, for which she won a Golden Globe. She earned her second Oscar nomination for her brief yet impactful performance in Wild (2014), while her scene-stealing role on Big Little Lies earned her an Emmy in 2017, the same year she played the lavender-haired Vice Admiral Holdo in Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi. She reunited with longtime collaborator David Lynch for the Twin Peaks: The Return revival as Diane and again with her JP costars in Jurassic World Dominion. To cap it all off, she took home an Oscar for her performance as lawyer Nora Fanshaw in 2019’s Marriage Story from writer-director Noah Baumbach.

Dern produces and costars on the Apple TV+ dramedy Palm Royale and will reunite with Baumbach for his 2025 film Jay Kelly. She has two children with ex-husband Ben Harper.

Jeff Goldblum (Dr. Ian Malcolm)

With an affinity for chaos and an unusual cadence, Jeff Goldblum delivers an impeccably quirky performance as the mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm. He foresaw the inevitable doom of trying to contain Mother Nature, and was the human embodiment of “f— around and find out,” or as Malcolm would say, “Life finds a way.”

Goldblum found his way to an extensive acting career spanning decades both before and after Jurassic Park. Ahead of the island, he notably appeared in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The Big Chill (1983), The Fly (1986), and Earth Girls Are Easy (1986). He followed up Jurassic Park by playing another scientist in the sci-fi disaster hit Independence Day (1996) before returning to screens once again as Dr. Ian Malcolm in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). His TV credits went on to include Friends, Will & Grace (for which he received his first Emmy nomination), Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Portlandia, and Netflix’s Kaos.

A frequent collaborator with auteur director Wes Anderson, Goldblum has been in his The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Isle of Dogs (2018), and Asteroid City (2023). His Goldblumisms were in full bloom when playing the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). No stranger to sequels, he returned for Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), and Jurassic World Dominion. In 2019, he landed his own National Geographic documentary series called The World According to Jeff Goldblum on Disney+.

The veteran actor added another mega-hit to his résumé with the 2024 movie adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical Wicked, in which he played the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He will reprise the role in the forthcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025).

Goldblum has been married to gymnast Emma Livingston since 2014. They have two sons.

Richard Attenborough (John Hammond)

Hello, John! Spielberg spared no expense when casting Richard Attenborough in the iconic role of Jurassic Park’s magnanimous founder, John Hammond. He’s a man of lofty dreams and dramatic helicopter entrances, and though his heart is in the right place, it’s his wallet that is his downfall.

The British actor touted a significant film career before reviving the dinosaurs, starring in decades worth of films, including The Great Escape (1963), The Sand Pebbles (1966), and Doctor Dolittle (1967), for which he won a Golden Globe. He was also known in the theater world, having originated the role of Detective Sergeant Trotter in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap in 1952, which is now the world’s longest-running play. He even received a knighthood in 1976.

Attenborough continued to work both on and off screen as a director and producer on films like Gandhi (1982) and Chaplin (1992). The former earned him Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

After Jurassic Park, Attenborough portrayed Kris Kringle in 1994’s remake of Miracle on 34th Street. He dusted off his signature amber-topped cane once more for The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and also appeared in the very English films Hamlet (1996) and Elizabeth (1998). He directed and produced his final film, Closing the Ring, in 2007.

In 2014, Attenborough died at the age of 90 — but he will forever be fossilized in our hearts. He was married to his wife, Sheila Sim, since 1945. They had three children together.

Samuel L. Jackson (Ray Arnold)

If there were ever an actor who has legs, it’s Samuel L. Jackson. It’s hard to pinpoint someone with more range or iconic roles, but his ability to balance a cigarette on his lips alone should earn him accolades.

Jackson’s first notable credits came from his longtime collaborator Spike Lee, who cast him in School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), Mo’ Better Blues (1990), and Jungle Fever (1991), for which he won the Best Supporting Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

After playing the chief engineer Ray Arnold in Jurassic Park, he continued to star in hits like Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995), Sphere (1998) — like JP, also a Michael Crichton adaptation — and Deep Blue Sea (1999). He played the lead in Shaft (2000) and is infamously known for his role and titular line in Snakes on a Plane (2006): “I have had it with these motherf—ing snakes on this motherf—ing plane!” He also joined the Star Wars universe as Mace Windu in the prequel film trilogy.

Though Jurassic Park was an absolute blockbuster, Jackson’s breakthrough role actually came the following year as the foul-mouthed Jules in 1994’s Pulp Fiction, which earned him an Oscar nomination. The actor has since been a favorite of director Quentin Tarantino, starring in several of his films: Jackie Brown (1997), Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004), Inglourious Basterds (2009), Django Unchained (2012), and The Hateful Eight (2015). Younger viewers will recognize him from his multiple appearances as the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Avengers wrangler Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But that wasn’t Jackson’s only time dealing with superheroes, as he lent his voice to Frozone in The Incredibles (2004) and Incredibles 2 (2018), and also portrayed Elijah Price in M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable (2000) and Glass (2019).

Jackson has been married to actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson since 1980. They have one daughter.

Wayne Knight (Dennis Nedry)

Talk about getting blindsided, literally. Wayne Knight’s character Dennis Nedry is a sticky-handed thief with butterfingers. He tries to teach his co-workers some manners, but his close shave with a dino lands him in a situation he can’t code his way out of.

No stranger to playing the villain, Knight famously portrayed Jerry Seinfeld’s arch nemesis, Newman the mailman, on Seinfeld, proving he is capable of managing a delivery. His previous film work included Dirty Dancing (1987), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), and Basic Instinct (1992). After becoming Dilophosaurus dinner in Jurassic Park, he appeared in films like To Die For (1995), Space Jam (1996), and Rat Race (2001).

Knight’s extensive list of TV roles features more than 100 episodes as Officer Don on 3rd Rock From the Sun and guest spots on Nip/Tuck, Hot in Cleveland, and Narcos. Wayne has also gathered quite a collection of voice-over credits, such as Hercules (1997), Toy Story 2 (1999) as Al the toy collector, Tarzan (1999), Kung Fu Panda (2008), and the Penguin on Harley Quinn, to name a few.

Knight has a son with wife Clare de Chenu, whom he married in 2006.

Ariana Richards (Lex Murphy)

Before putting the jiggle in green Jell-O, Ariana Richards was already shaking things up as a child actress. Her first taste of almost getting eaten was in the 1990 monster movie Tremors, with Kevin Bacon and Reba McEntire.

In 1993, she joined Jurassic Park as Lex Murphy — Hammond’s granddaughter, vegetarian hacker, and human tissue. After the film’s success, Richards starred as the popular cheerleader in Angus (1995), guest-starred as a teen being abused in a memorably serious episode of Boy Meets World, and even appeared in a Ben Folds Five music video for the song “Brick.” She returned as Lex for an appearance in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and reprised her Tremors role in Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001).

After Battledogs in 2013, Richards transitioned from acting to a career in fine art. She currently resides in Salem, Ore., with her husband and daughter, working as a successful portrait and landscape artist. Spielberg even has one of her oil paintings hanging in his office.

Joseph Mazzello (Tim Murphy)

Joseph Mazzello was climbing the ranks of Hollywood before he ever started climbing electric fences on Isla Nublar. The actor, who previously starred in Radio Flyer (1992) and Jersey Girl (1992), initially caught the attention of Steven Spielberg when he auditioned for Hook in 1991, but was too young for the role of Peter’s son. However, Spielberg was so interested in casting Mazzello that the Tim Murphy character in Jurassic Park was changed from older to younger brother.

Immediately following Jurassic Park, Mazzello appeared in the film Shadowlands (1993) — directed by his former costar, Richard Attenborough — followed by The River Wild (1994), The Cure (1995), and Three Wishes (1995). Mazzello reprised the role of Tim once more for a cameo in The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

Mazello’s other notable works include playing the lead in Star Kid (1997), the miniseries The Pacific, and The Social Network (2010). He attended film school at USC and continues to act, write, and direct to this day. Other notable credits include the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), the miniseries Impeachment: American Crime Story, and Unexpected (2023).

Bob Peck (Robert Muldoon)

Game warden, hunter, and…fashion icon? While the raptors checked the fences for weaknesses, Robert Muldoon’s thick thighs were testing the seams of his khaki shorts. Played by Bob Peck, Jurassic Park’s resident velociraptor expert proved that behind every great man is a clever girl.

The English stage and screen actor starred in numerous British TV shows, notably BBC’s Edge of Darkness (1985), before making waves across the pond hunting raptors. After Jurassic Park came out, he appeared in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1993), Hard Times (1994), Seasick (1996), Surviving Picasso (1996), and FairyTale: A True Story (1997). His final role was lending his voice to play Joseph in the stop-motion animated film The Miracle Maker (2000).

In 1999, Peck died of cancer at the age of 53. He is survived by his wife, Jill, as well as their three children.

Martin Ferrero (Donald Gennaro)

He’s a bloodsucking lawyer with dollar signs for eyes and a heart of coal. Martin Ferrero plays the greedy suit, Donald Gennaro, who thinks Jurassic Park will be his cash goat, but ultimately finds out it’s he who will pay with his life (while on the toilet, no less).

Ferrero previously appeared on shows like Mork & Mindy, Diff’rent Strokes, Happy Days, Cheers, and Moonlighting, in addition to being a regular on Miami Vice. Following roles in Planes, Trains, & Automobiles (1987) and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), he was cast in Jurassic Park and found his dino costar was really chewing the scenery.

The actor went on to appear in the gangster comedy Get Shorty (1995), Heat (1995), Gods and Monsters (1998), and The Tailor of Panama (2001). In 2000, he took on his most ferocious costars since the T-Rex: a team of soccer-playing golden retrievers in Air Bud: World Pup. Ferrero has lain low ever since, though he did reprise his Jurassic role in a CollegeHumor parody in 2011.

Cameron Thor (Lewis Dodgson)

Dodgson, Dodgson, we got Dodgson here! While Cameron Thor’s character Lewis Dodgson has a small scene in the movie, he makes a big impact. Working for InGen’s competitor company Biosyn, he’s the one who bribes Dennis Nedry to try and smuggle the dinosaur embryos off the island and starts the whole fiasco.

Though not part of the film, his character is also the main antagonist in Michael Crichton’s sequel novel The Lost World, leading an expedition to Isla Sorna. Dodgson makes a return to the screen as an evil Apple executive-type in Jurassic World Dominion, with Campbell Scott taking over the role from Thor.

Thor had previously worked with Spielberg on Hook before being cast in Jurassic Park. Afterward, he received credits for Mad About You, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Clear and Present Danger (1994), Seaquest 2032, and the WWII film Windtalkers (2002). He worked as an acting coach until 2015, when he was convicted of lewd conduct with a minor. He served four years in prison and was released in 2019.

Thor has been married to Alice Carter since 2013. They have two children together, including singer/actress London Thor.

Gerald R. Molen (Gerry Harding)

Mainly working as a producer alongside Steven Spielberg, Gerald “Jerry” Molen has made several cameos in his own films. Skipping medical school entirely, Jerry has played a doctor in three movies: He was Dr. Bruner in Rain Man (1988), Dr. Wilhaire in Days of Thunder (1990), and Dr. Gerry Harding in Jurassic Park. Dr. Harding can be seen when the cast all decide to get up close and personal with the sick Triceratops. Although it’s not resolved in the movie, the book reveals that the dinosaur is actually eating the toxic berries by accident when swallowing stones to help with digestion, which they later regurgitate.

Speaking of popping back up, Molen’s other cameos include Amistad (1997), The Other Side of Heaven (2001), and Catch Me If You Can (2002). He’s also produced such films as Schindler’s List (1993), Twister (1996), The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Minority Report (2002), The Meg (2018), and multiple right-wing-leaning documentaries.

BD Wong (Dr. Henry Wu)

While you may be able to clone a dinosaur, BD Wong’s talent can’t be reproduced. As Jurassic Park’s chief genetic engineer, Dr. Henry Wu, he eventually becomes one of the franchise’s main antagonists and is the one to blame for wanting to sell those plastic lunch boxes.

The actor first turned heads when he won a Tony for his 1988 Broadway debut as Song Liling in M. Butterfly, opposite John Lithgow. He appeared on screen as Howard Weinstein in Father of the Bride (1991) before breeding raptors and becoming Jurassic Park’s resident skirt lifter. He then reprised his role in Father of the Bride Part II (1995), followed by Seven Years in Tibet (1997), voicing Shang in Mulan (1998), and appearing in several seasons of Oz (1997) as Father Ray Mukada.

Wong continued his extensive TV work with Awake, NCIS: New Orleans, Nurse Jackie, and was a series regular as Dr. George Huang on Law & Order: SVU for 14 years. He later returned to Isla Nublar as a much darker Henry Wu for the new Jurassic World trilogy, while also playing the villain Hugo Strange on Gotham and Whiterose on Mr. Robot, for which he was nominated for an Emmy.

An out gay man, Wong has been married to Richert Schnorr since 2018 and has one son from a previous relationship via surrogate, which inspired his 2003 memoir, Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man.