A longtime scientific consultant on the Jurassic Park films has recently drawn attention after his name appeared in the Epstein files.
World-renowned paleontologist Jack Horner, who served as a technical advisor on several films of the long-running Jurassic Park series, was referenced in emails included in the Epstein files. According to the BBC, Horner also stepped down from his position at Chapman University weeks after the release of the email communications he shared with the now-deceased American financier and convicted child sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
What’s Been Reported?
The BBC has reported that emails from 2012 show Horner visited Epstein’s ranch in New Mexico and sought research funding from the financier. At the time, Horner was working as a lecturer at Montana State University.
One message reportedly sent in August 2012 read: “I wanted to thank you for all your help in getting me to Jeffrey’s ranch, it was a lot of fun.” The email continued: “Jeffrey and the girls were very gracious hosts… Please give my best to Jeffrey and the girls.”
Another exchange cited by the outlet shows Horner requesting funding for a research project, initially estimating the cost at $15,000 before revising the amount to $8,650. Epstein replied: “Great, check made to???”
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Jack Horner’s Statement
Horner later addressed the emails in a statement. He said the term “girls” referred to four women he was introduced to as college students and that he regrets using that wording.
“In retrospect, I regret that I did not investigate Epstein’s background beyond what was commonly known at the time, something that I had never done with other potential donors,” Horner said. “That is a lesson learned!”
He also said that nothing about his brief visit raised concerns at the time. “When the full extent of Epstein’s crimes became public in 2019, I reflected back upon my limited interactions with him,” he said. “Nothing I observed or experienced during my short stay at the ranch indicated or suggested the conduct that came to light.”
A spokesperson for Chapman confirmed to the BBC that Horner “is no longer with the university.” It remains unclear whether he resigned or was dismissed from the role.
The documents referenced in the report are part of a much larger release of material related to Epstein earlier this year. The US Department of Justice reportedly made public roughly three million pages of records that include emails, photographs, videos, and other files connected to the late financier and convicted child sex offender and his social circle of politicians, celebrities, and other influential figures.
However, being mentioned in the files does not imply wrongdoing.
Horner’s Jurassic Park Legacy
Horner has been closely associated with the Jurassic Park franchise for decades. The paleontologist served as a technical advisor on Jurassic Park (1993), The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), and Jurassic Park III (2001). He later returned for Jurassic World (2015), where he also appeared in a small cameo, and Jurassic World Dominion (2022).
His work on the films helped shape how dinosaurs were depicted on screen, and he partially inspired the character of Dr. Alan Grant in Michael Crichton’s original 1990 novel, which Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film was based on. Actor Sam Neill has portrayed Grant throughout several entries in the series.
Horner was not involved with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) or the most recent installment, Jurassic World Rebirth (2025), which was directed by Gareth Edwards and stars Scarlett Johansson.
Whether he will return as a consultant for future entries in the franchise remains unknown. A new film is reportedly in early development.
Appearing in the Epstein files does not imply wrongdoing, and Horner has stressed that he observed nothing suspicious during his visit.
