New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park films, died on July 13 at the age of 78. His family confirmed the news through a statement shared on his official Instagram account. They said the veteran actor passed away peacefully in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by his loved ones.
The family did not announce the cause of his death. In 2023, Sam Neill revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer, in 2022 and had been receiving treatment. However, his family said he was cancer free at the time of his passing.
“It is with immense sadness that the whnau (extended family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday, July 13, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and died with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” the statement read.
The family added that his death was “sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free”. They also thanked the doctors, nurses and staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for the care they provided and requested privacy as they grieve his loss.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to the actor on X. He wrote, “Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories, and he earned a special place in Australian hearts. 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.”
Born as Nigel John Dermot Neill on September 14, 1947, in Omagh, Northern Ireland, Sam moved to New Zealand with his family in 1954 after his father returned home from military service. He later adopted the name Sam while he was in school. Although he first enrolled to study law in Christchurch, he decided to follow his passion for acting and began performing in theatre before moving into films.
Sam Neill gained recognition with the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs before starring in several well known films, including My Brilliant Career, Possession, Evil Angels, The Hunt for Red October and The Piano. In 1993, he achieved worldwide fame after playing palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. He later returned to the popular franchise in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion.
Over a career that lasted more than 5 decades, Sam Neill appeared in more than 150 films and television shows, including Dead Calm, Event Horizon, The Jungle Book, Peter Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Peaky Blinders and The Tudors. Away from acting, he owned the Two Paddocks vineyard in New Zealand and often shared moments from his farm with fans. His 2023 memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, offered an honest look at his cancer journey and life in the film industry. He leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors.