Gerry Harding
Appearances	Jurassic Park Jurassic Park (novel) Jurassic Park: The Game
Portrayed by	Gerald R. Molen
Role	Chief Veterinarian
Status	Alive

"This isn't supposed to happen!"

—Gerry on the power failure of Jurassic Park^(src)

Dr. Gerald "Gerry" Harding was Jurassic Park's veterinarian. Whenever a dinosaur was sick, he would be the one treating it.

Jurassic Park FranchiseEdit

Gerry Harding had a large role in the first Jurassic Park novel, but only appeared briefly in the film.

In the game Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, his role as Chief Veterinarian is filled by Ellie Sattler. Gerry is also one of the main protagonists in Jurassic Park: The Game, though his appearance has been changed drastically, as his hair color, style, and clothing are different, he no longer has a mustache, and he is noticeably younger. He was also given a daughter, Jessica Harding, who was on the island with him at the time of the movie (it should be noted, however, that the game is considered canon with the films).

NovelsEdit

In the first book Gerry Harding is the Park's Chief Veterinarian. He first appears in the chapter Stegosaurus. The endorsement team meets him in the Stegosaur South region where he is investigating a Stegosaurus suffering from a stange disease.

He is not introduced to the team and (contrary to other characters) no description of his appearance or character is given. He also speaks little in this chapter. When the visitors leave, Ellie Sattler stays behind to inspect the creature further and Gerry offers to give her a lift to the Visitor Center.

When Malcolm is harmed by the Tyrannosaurus rex, Harding is made to treat him because his background is closest to that of a physician on the island. Malcolm accuses him of being "stingy with the drugs."

When Harding has to recapture the escaped dinosaurs more information of his past and his character is revealed. He accepted this job from Hammond because dinosaurs were the only creatures for which there didn't exist any zoo guidelines, so he would be famous by making them. He had to take care for the creature's health and making sure they couldn't escape.^[1]

During the Velociraptor attack on the Visitor Center, he opens the roof door to let Ellie in, but Ellie has already run away from the Raptors. He is attacked by a Raptor, but survives.

There are indications that Sarah Harding, a primary character in both The Lost World novel and film, is Gerry's daughter as she refers to her father as being an veterinarian who specialized in birds.(source?)

MoviesEdit

"Her pupils are dilated, take a look."
"They are?...I'll be damned."

—Ellie and Gerry treating the sick Triceratops^(src)

In Jurassic Park, he was seen treating a Triceratops suffering from a strange disease. He and Ellie are investigating the animal. Later, he drove Ellie back to the Visitor Center in his Gas-powered Jeep. After that he left for the last boat to the mainland (Costa Rica). Gerry was portrayed by Gerald R. Molen, who was the producer of the film.

His older daughter Sarah is later seen in the sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, following in a similar field of her father's footsteps as a behavioral paleontologist. She is also Ian Malcolm's girlfriend.

Jurassic Park: The GameEdit

Main Article: Gerry Harding/Jurassic Park:The Game

Gerry Harding is one of the main characters in Jurassic Park: The Game. His younger daughter, Jess Harding, is also featured. Despite being present in the first film, Gerry Harding's face is noticeably different than in the film. The main reasoning for this was Telltale Games wanted to design his appearance so that it fit the personality they wrote for him. He is portrayed by Jon Curry in the game. There is further evidence that Sarah Harding is his daughter When Jess mentions another daughter of his named Sarah, who he hasn't spoken to for years.

Sources Edit

1. ↑ Jurassic Park (novel), The Park, page 246.