Laura Dern is 20 years younger than Sam Neill in Jurassic Park

It was "completely inappropriate."
 By 
Christianna Silva
 on 
Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Laura Dern, and Sam Neill looking at a dinosaur eggs in 'Jurassic Park.'
20 years is a big age gap Credit: Murray Close/Getty Images

Sam Neill was 20 years older than Laura Dern in "Jurassic Park," an age gap that somehow didn't make the stars uncomfortable until nearly three decades after the 1993 blockbuster hit theaters.

“Laura was a tender age," Neill told The Sunday Times of London via BuzzFeed News of the casting. “I am 20 years older than Laura! Which at the time was a completely appropriate age difference for a leading man and lady." His character, paleontologist Alan Grant, played opposite Dern's character as paleontologist Ellie Sattler. 

"It never occurred to me until I opened a magazine and there was an article called 'Old geezers and gals,'" Neill said, according to USA Today. "People like Harrison Ford and Sean Connery acting with much younger people. And there I was, on the list. I thought, 'Come on. It can’t be true.'"


You May Also Like

Unfortunately, it was absolutely true. At the time of filming, Dern was 23 years old and Neill was in his early 40s. Now, much to the delight of fans, they're reprising their roles in "Jurassic World Dominion." Dern is currently 55 years old, while Neill is 74 years old.

Dern told the London news outlet that the 20 year age gap was "completely inappropriate," but at the time, she thought it was "completely appropriate to fall in love with Sam Neill."

"And it was only now, when we returned in a moment of cultural awareness about the patriarchy, that I was, like, 'Wow! We're not the same age?'" Dern said.

They've already wrapped shooting "Jurassic World Dominion." Jeff Goldblum will also be returning to his role as Ian Malcolm alongside Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. The movie will be released on June 9, 2022.

Topics Film

Mashable Image
Christianna Silva
Senior Culture Reporter

Christianna Silva is a senior culture reporter covering social platforms and the creator economy, with a focus on the intersection of social media, politics, and the economic systems that govern us. Since joining Mashable in 2021, they have reported extensively on meme creators, content moderation, and the nature of online creation under capitalism.

Before joining Mashable, they worked as an editor at NPR and MTV News, a reporter at Teen Vogue and VICE News, and as a stablehand at a mini-horse farm. You can follow her on Bluesky @christiannaj.bsky.social and Instagram @christianna_j.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!