Ellie Sattler
Jurassic Park character
portrayed Dr. Ellie Sattler, a paleobotanist, in Steven Spielberg's 1993 film Jurassic Park, a role that brought her international recognition. She reprised the role in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022), becoming a central figure in the franchise. Dern was Spielberg's first choice for the character, influenced by her performances in Smooth Talk and Rambling Rose, and was drawn to the role because of its strong, independent, and intelligent portrayal of a woman in science. The character's romantic connection with Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill, was portrayed despite a 20-year age gap between the actors, which neither actor found problematic during filming.
Factsheet
Ellie Sattler Jurassic Park character
First appearance Jurassic Park (novel; 1990)
Last appearance Jurassic World Evolution 2 (video game; 2022)
Ellie Sattler Jurassic Park character
First appearance Jurassic Park (novel; 1990)
Last appearance Jurassic World Evolution 2 (video game; 2022)
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Laura_Dern
Laura Dern - Wikipedia
2 days ago - Dern played Ellie Sattler in Steven Spielberg's 1993 film Jurassic Park, achieving international recognition with the role. Dern, who had been more focused on independent films prior to the film, was Spielberg's first choice for the role of Ellie, after having been impressed with her work in ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/movies › laura dern was wasted/underused in "jurassic park". the writers didn't seem to know what to do with her character halfway into the film
r/movies on Reddit: Laura Dern was wasted/underused in "Jurassic Park". The writers didn't seem to know what to do with her character halfway into the film
June 5, 2025 -
I've often wondered if Ellie Sattler was in the book or in the original script because the impression I got was it was more about Alan Grant and his bond with the kids. Ellie got sidelined after the 1st act and one had to wait until the final act for her to come back and do anything.
I wasn't even disappointed when Alan and Ellie came back for Jurassic Park III and he was the lead and Ellie settled with a glorified cameo.
I do wonder if her limited role in JP was a way for the age difference to not be obvious because Dern was 25 and Neil was 46 and I didn't notice at first, though the more I see JP, the more noticeable it gets.
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As she wasn't the main character, her presence in the film was one of a supporting role, which she was excellent at. The main characters were the dinosaurs, duh.
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The movie is really well paced and executed with solid themes throughout and solid performances. I’m not sure what else you’d want from her character that doesn’t also elongate the movie or muddle other themes. I mean, you could say the same about Ian Malcom - after being rescued in the t-Rex chase he doesn’t contribute that much. Laura Dern has an excellent sequence with Muldoon and the raptors while getting the park back up and running. She has an excellent takedown of John Hammond calling out his hubris, appropriately. She’s prominent in the final with the raptors. I’ll agree Alan is the lead protagonist with her as a secondary character but she still has a solid through line questioning and ultimately condemning Hammond’s vision. I just struggle to think what additional sequences or themes you’d add to the movie that doesn’t detract elsewhere.
Laura Dern was wasted/underused in "Jurassic Park". The writers didn't seem to know what to do with her character halfway into the film
As she wasn't the main character, her presence in the film was one of a supporting role, which she was excellent at. The main characters were the dinosaurs, duh. More on reddit.com
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June 5, 2025TIL This is what 26 looks like in 1993. One of them was 46. I always thought they were the same age.
Tbf out of the whole cast, the dinosaurs look brilliant for 65,000,000 years old. More on reddit.com
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April 24, 2025Does anyone think Laura Dern was way too young to play Dr Ellie Satler in "Jurassic Park"?
Did you read the Book which the movie was based on? In that Alan(Sam Neil played him in the movie) is a paleontologist pretty much in his 40's where as Ellie Satler is a Paleobotanist working with him..And in the book she was young like 24-27 .. And she didn't have any relationship with Sam Neil's character in the book or in the movie... You see the movie didn't include this part but one of the kids asks him in the book If Alan was going to marry her but He says He had a wife long time ago and Ellie was just a student to him and that Ellie was going to marry a fine young man later that year.. (we see this paying off in the third JP movie) The only relationship they had was that of Teacher-Student.. Oh and in the book too she doesn't have much of a role except for the electric thing and trying to fend off the raptors So I don't see any problem here I would recommend you to give the book a read .. It's so good..The movie is good but the book is better and fills in a lot of gaps and doubts More on reddit.com
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April 14, 2021Laura Dern and Sam Neill question 'Jurassic Park' romance's 20-year age gap
To be fair, I never realized she was 23. I thought they were around the same age. Plus their onscreen romance was the least onscreen romance I've seen depicted. More on reddit.com
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May 23, 2022Videos
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Seeing the Dinosaurs for the First Time [CLIP] | Jurassic Park ...
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Jurassic Park According to Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Sam Neill ...
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I Think We're Back in Business! | Jurassic Park (1993) | All Action ...
Facebook
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Laura Dern redefined the action heroine with her iconic ...
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Vogue
vogue.com › culture › laura dern’s *jurassic* comeback
Laura Dern’s Jurassic Comeback | Vogue
June 10, 2022 - As Dern returns to the role of Dr. Ellie Sattler in “Jurassic World Dominion,” Vogue catches up with her about the character, her memories of the original “Jurassic Park,” and updating her iconic costume for a new era.
Fandom
jurassicpark.fandom.com › wiki › Laura_Dern
Laura Dern | Jurassic Park Wiki | Fandom
1 week ago - "I thought Laura Dern was the perfect Ellie Sattler. She is such an honest actor." —Steven Spielberg(src) Laura Dern is an American actress and producer who portrayed Dr. Ellie Sattler in Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World: ...
IMDb
imdb.com › name › nm0000368
Laura Dern | Actress, Producer, Writer
3 weeks ago - Actress: Jurassic Park. Laura Dern was born on February 10, 1967 in Los Angeles, the daughter of actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd. Dern was exposed to movie sets and the movie industry from infancy, and obtained several bit parts as a child.
Variety
variety.com › 2022 › film › news › laura-dern-jurassic-park-20-year-age-gap-sam-neill-1235274991
Laura Dern on 'Jurassic Park' 20-Year Age Gap With Sam Neill
May 27, 2022 - Laura Dern and Sam Neill starred in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster “Jurassic Park” as paleobotanist Ellie Sattler and paleontologist Alan Grant, respectively. The two characters fall in love during the film despite the 20-year age ...
Getty Images
gettyimages.com › getty images › stock photos › laura dern jurassic park
101 Laura Dern Jurassic Park Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images
Mazzello, Dern, Neill, & Richards In 'Jurassic Park' American actress Laura Dern as Dr.
IndieWire
indiewire.com › features › general › laura-dern-jurassic-park-age-gap-inappropriate-1234727326
Laura Dern on 'Jurassic Park' Age Gap Romance with Sam Neill
May 22, 2022 - Laura Dern was 26 years old when “Jurassic Park” hit theaters in 1993, but she was only 23 when the movie began shooting. Her character, Dr. Ellie Sattler, falls in love with the much older scientist Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill.
Pinterest
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Laura Dern Jurassic Park Costume
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Ellie_Sattler
Ellie Sattler - Wikipedia
November 3, 2025 - Ellie Sattler is a fictional character in the Jurassic Park franchise. She is introduced in Michael Crichton's 1990 novel Jurassic Park, which began the franchise. Steven Spielberg directed the 1993 film adaptation, casting Laura Dern as Sattler ...
Stylist
stylist.co.uk › life › laura-dern-feminist-jurassic-park-moment-quote › 72267
Laura Dern says Jurassic Park was more feminist than you might have thought
The star of the 1993 film says there’s a line that was “such a big deal”
Entertainment Weekly
ew.com › movies › laura-dern-sam-neill-question-jurassic-park-romance-20-year-age-gap
Laura Dern and Sam Neill question 'Jurassic Park' romance's 20-year age gap
May 23, 2022 - Jurassic World Dominion reunites the original stars of 1993's Jurassic Park, including Laura Dern and Sam Neill, reprising their roles as Dr. Ellie Sattler and Dr. Alan Grant, respectively.
Hollywood Outbreak
hollywoodoutbreak.com › home › ‘jurassic park’ was a pleasant surprise for laura dern
'Jurassic Park' Was A Pleasant Surprise For Laura Dern - Hollywood Outbreak
3 weeks ago - Laura Dern details why her experience on the effects-heavy set of Jurassic Park was "amazing," defying previous "horror stories."
Yahoo!
yahoo.com › entertainment › laura-dern-questions-whether-jurassic-193513145.html
Laura Dern Questions Whether ‘Jurassic Park’ Age Gap Romance Was ‘Completely Appropriate’
May 22, 2022 - Laura Dern was 26 years old when “Jurassic Park” hit theaters in 1993, but she was only 23 when the movie began shooting. Her character, Dr. Ellie Sattler, falls in love with the much older scientist Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill.
Pinterest
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Laura Dern Jurassic Park
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IMDb
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Jurassic Park (1993) - Laura Dern as Ellie - IMDb
John Hammond: Well, your kind not to put too fine a point on it. I mean, let's face it... in your particular field you're the top minds. And if I could just persuade you, to sign off on the park, give it your endorsement, maybe even pen a wee testimonial, I could get right back on shedule, er...
Alamy
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Laura dern jurassic park hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy
Find the perfect laura dern jurassic park stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Available for both RF and RM licensing.
Tyla
tyla.com › entertainment › tv-and-film
Jurassic Park stars Laura Dern and Sam Neill only made realisation about age gap years later
August 14, 2024 - Speaking to The Telegraph before the release of Jurassic Park World Dominion in June 2022, they got candid about their 20-year age-gap. Neill shared information about filming with Dern when she was just 23: “I am 20 years older than Laura!
People
people.com › movies › sam-neill-laura-dern-20-year-age-difference-jurassic-park-world-dominion
Sam Neill Says 20-Year Age Difference with Jurassic Park Costar Laura Dern 'Never Occurred' to Him
May 22, 2022 - Laura Dern is reuniting with Sam Neill on the big screen nearly 30 years after first starring together in Jurassic Park.