New Zealand actor Sam Neill has died at the age of 78, his family have confirmed – just months after the Jurassic Park star announced he was cancer-free.
A statement on social media read: “It is with immense sadness that the whanau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13 July, in Sydney, Australia.
“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.
“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free.
“They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.
“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”
Neill, who played Dr Alan Grant in the dinosaur sci-fi franchise, revealed he was in the clear in April while advocating for CAR T-cell therapy, a form of cancer immunotherapy which he underwent as part of a clinical trial, to be made available for blood cancer patients in Australia.
Neill had first revealed he was being treated for stage-three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in his 2023 memoir “Did I Ever Tell You This?”.
The 78-year-old had his break in 1977 NZ thriller Sleeping Dogs, before starring in various high-profile films including The Hunt For Red October, The Piano, In the Mouth of Madness, Event Horizon – and, of course, the Jurassic movies.
On the small screen, Neill starred in Reilly, Ace of Spies, Peaky Blinders and many more shows besides.
He was honoured on several occasions for his work, including the Bafta-equivalent AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role – and, in the States, was nominated for three Golden Globes and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
He was born in Omagh in September 1947 to an English mother and New Zealander father, before moving to Christchurch aged seven.
In his 20s, he fathered a son who was later placed up for adoption – before the pair reunited in 1994.
In 1980, he met Omen III co-star Lisa Harrow, a relationship which produced a son.
Nine years later, he married make-up artist Noriko Watanabe, and had one daughter together. He also adopted Watanabe’s daughter from her first marriage, before the couple split in 2017.
Paying tribute, Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, shared: “Sir Sam Neill was one of the greats.
“He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of.
“For more than 50 years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports.
“His work will be watched and loved long after all of us. Our thoughts are with his family and friends tonight. Rest in Peace.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, shared a touching tribute as well.
“Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts,” he began.
“Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance. He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”
