The Kid Who Killed a Raptor: How Vanessa Chester Followed Spielberg’s Prophecy and Made History in Hollywood

In Hollywood, few actors have gone toe-to-toe with a Tyrannosaurus Rex or a Velociraptor. But Vanessa Lee Chester belongs to an even rarer club: she’s the one who won. Her journey from a child of Guyanese immigrants in Brooklyn to a blockbuster star was cemented by a promise from Steven Spielberg, a groundbreaking role that shattered stereotypes, and a legacy that includes holding an unprecedented franchise record.

From Brooklyn to a Little Princess

Born on July 2, 1984, in Brooklyn, New York, Vanessa Lee Chester was the first in her family born on American soil. After her family relocated to Los Angeles, her innate, magnetic talent quickly became evident, leading to commercial work and a television debut on Hanging with Mr. Cooper.

Her breakout role came in 1995 when director Alfonso Cuarón cast her in A Little Princess as Becky, a servant girl with a huge heart. The film was revolutionary because it presented a genuine friendship between the privileged Sarah Crew and Becky on equal ground. In 1995, seeing a young Black girl in a period fantasy piece who got depth, agency, and a joyful conclusion was a significant barrier shattered.

At the film’s premiere, her life changed forever. Steven Spielberg, who was in attendance, approached 9-year-old Vanessa and delivered a prophecy: “You’re a great actress. I’m going to put you in a movie someday.”

The Spy and the Unexpected Reunion

A year later, in 1996, Vanessa secured another major role as Janie Gibbs in Harriet the Spy. Janie was Harriet Welsh’s brilliant, science-loving best friend who was passionate about chemistry and chaos. Vanessa infused the character with wit and intelligence, once again avoiding stereotypes and portraying a genuine, fully-realized young character. For this role, she won the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film.

During the production, Vanessa discovered an incredible twist: this wasn’t her first time working with co-star Michelle Trachtenberg. Years earlier in the early 90s, the two had met on a Panasonic commercial shoot in New York. They connected instantly as children of immigrant parents who were determined to succeed. The two friends, who had grown up in the industry together, were now headlining Nickelodeon’s debut feature film.

The Lost World and the Impossible Kill

Steven Spielberg keeps his promises. In 1997, he greenlit the Jurassic Park sequel, The Lost World, and he hadn’t forgotten the talented young actress. He wanted Vanessa for a lead role, and she made history as the first Black girl to co-star in the Jurassic franchise, playing Kelly Curtis Malcolm, the daughter of Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum).

The experience was surreal. The 12-year-old actress dove into Hollywood’s biggest swimming pool. Her audition was unconventional, featuring a hilarious improvised scene where Jeff Goldblum transformed into a Velociraptor chasing her around the room.

The highlight of the film, and the source of decades of conversation, was Kelly’s defining moment: she defeats a Velociraptor using a gymnastics kick. Because Vanessa was a gymnast in real life, she volunteered to handle most of her own stunt work, though a professional was used for the specific gymnastic sequence.

This scene secured her place in franchise history: Kelly Curtis Malcolm is the only character across all Jurassic Park films to ever kill a dinosaur without a gun, tranquilizer, or any actual weapon, using only her body, training, and courage.

Education, Grief, and New Chapters

Despite the global success and having her own action figure, Vanessa did something unexpected: she prioritized education. She stepped away from Hollywood’s glare to enroll at the University of Southern California (USC), graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

After graduation, she pivoted her career, focusing on television with appearances on shows like Malcolm in the Middle, The West Wing, and Veronica Mars. She built her career methodically, on her own terms, and also began working behind the scenes on projects in wardrobe, art, and makeup design, absorbing knowledge about the complete film ecosystem.

In February 2025, Vanessa faced personal tragedy with the devastating news of her childhood friend and co-star Michelle Trachtenberg’s passing. Vanessa poured her heart into a moving Instagram tribute, reflecting on their shared history across three projects and the real loss behind the Hollywood success story.

More than two decades after her first raptor encounter, Vanessa completed the circle by starring in the 2023 comedy-horror hybrid, Invisible Raptor, where she played DJ Malcolm—a deliberate echo of her iconic role. Currently single and laser-focused on her craft, Vanessa Lee Chester’s net worth is approximately $2 million. She continues to build her career on passion, authenticity, and meaningful work, proving that child stars can mature into grounded creative adults who maintain the imaginative spark that first caught Steven Spielberg’s eye.