The paleontologist who brought dinosaurs to life in Jurassic Park has severed ties with Chapman University after explosive revelations about his 2012 visit to Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch—including emails mentioning "the girls"—surfaced in newly released court documents.
Jack Horner, the real-life inspiration for Dr. Alan Grant and consultant for all seven Jurassic Park films, is "no longer with the University," confirmed Chapman's communications director Robert Hitchcock, though it remains unclear whether his departure was voluntary or forced. The bombshell connection was first reported by Chapman's student newspaper The Panther.
Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson in 'Jurassic World Rebirth'. Universal Pictures
In a LinkedIn statement titled "Personal Statement Regarding Emails in the Epstein Files," Horner admitted visiting Epstein's New Mexico ranch—now under renewed criminal investigation—where he emailed about not finding dinosaur fossils but thanked "Jeffrey and the girls." He claimed the visit included four women introduced as college students, along with ranch staff, and insisted nothing inappropriate occurred.
Horner stated the emails, released by the Department of Justice, involved discussions about Epstein funding his DinoChicken Project, describing the convicted sex offender as merely a "wealthy science enthusiast." He vehemently denied knowledge of Epstein's crimes, declaring, "No amount of money in the world would have lured me to meet with a known sexual predator!"
The timing raises disturbing questions: Horner's 2012 ranch visit coincided with the beginning of his relationship with a 19-year-old student—a relationship that led to his 2016 dismissal from Montana's Museum of the Rockies. Now, his future with the Jurassic Park franchise hangs in the balance as Universal remains silent and director Gareth Edwards hasn't confirmed an eighth film.
As Epstein's shadow extends from Hollywood to academia, Horner's case exposes how even celebrated scientists could become entangled with one of history's most notorious predators—leaving fans wondering if the man who helped resurrect dinosaurs has now doomed his own legacy.
