New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for his role as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, has died in Australia at the age of 78, his family announced in a statement describing his death as “sudden and unexpected”.
Neill had undergone treatment for lymphoma in recent years but revealed earlier this year that he was cancer free. His family said he passed away on Monday, July 13, in Sydney, surrounded by loved ones and “with the dignity that characterised his whole life”.
The statement added that Neill had been receiving treatment at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney but did not disclose the cause of death.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Neill as “one of the greats”, praising his contribution to cinema and his role in bringing New Zealand stories to global audiences.
“For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world,” Luxon said, adding that his work would continue to be watched and loved for generations.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute, saying Neill held “a special place in Australian hearts” and praising the actor’s dignity, humour and conviction throughout his life and career.
Born in Northern Ireland in 1947, Neill moved to New Zealand as a child. Originally named Nigel John Dermot, he adopted the name Sam because he felt it suited him better.
He began his acting career in New Zealand films in the early 1970s before moving into larger international productions. His breakthrough came in 1993 with Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, where he played palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Neill appeared in dozens of films and television series, including The Hunt for Red October, Peaky Blinders and two additional Jurassic Park sequels. He also earned acclaim for his performances in Jane Campion’s The Piano and Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Neill revealed in his 2023 memoir that he had been diagnosed with stage-three non-Hodgkin lymphoma and was undergoing chemotherapy. He later said he was cancer free after receiving genetic therapy that helped modify his immune system.
Away from acting, Neill was also known for running vineyards in New Zealand’s scenic Central Otago region, where he spent much of his time. His legacy remains tied not only to his iconic film roles but also to his support for New Zealand’s creative industries. -AFP
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