Xuenou > Movies > “Jurassic Park” Stars Laura Dern And Sam Neill Thought It Was Normal To Cast A 23 Year-Old As The Love Interest Of Someone In Their 40s
“Jurassic Park” Stars Laura Dern And Sam Neill Thought It Was Normal To Cast A 23 Year-Old As The Love Interest Of Someone In Their 40s
"I am 20 years older than Laura! Which at the time was a completely appropriate age difference for a leading man and lady!"

“Jurassic Park” Stars Laura Dern And Sam Neill Thought It Was Normal To Cast A 23 Year-Old As The Love Interest Of Someone In Their 40s

Alrighty, so if you’ve seen the 1993 movie Jurassic Park, then you’re likely very aware of the romance between Laura Dern’s Ellie Sattler and Sam Neill’s Alan Grant.

Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images for CDGA, NurPhoto / Getty Images

“Laura was a tender age,” Sam recalled. “I am 20 years older than Laura! Which at the time was a completely appropriate age difference for a leading man and lady!”

Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection

“It never occurred to me until I opened a magazine and there was an article called ‘Old geezers and gals.’ People like Harrison Ford and Sean Connery acting with much younger people,” he continued. “And there I was, on the list.”

Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic, Inc / Getty Images

As for Laura, she said her thoughts on the matter had evolved with time. “Well, it felt completely appropriate to fall in love with Sam Neill,” she said.

Murray Close / Getty Images

Laura continued, “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?’”

Murray Close / Universal Studios / courtesy Everett Collection

Ahhhhh the ’90s.