WELLINGTON — New Zealand actor Sam Neill, whose career spanned more than five decades and included internationally acclaimed performances in the "Jurassic Park" franchise, "The Piano" and dozens of other films and television productions, has died at the age of 78, his family announced.
Neill died in Sydney on July 13 in what his family described as a sudden and unexpected death. In a statement posted on his social media accounts, the family said he was surrounded by relatives and noted that he had remained cancer-free following his widely publicized treatment for a rare blood cancer. The statement did not disclose a cause of death.
Born in Northern Ireland in 1947 and raised in New Zealand, Neill became one of the country's most recognizable actors after establishing himself in Australian cinema before achieving global fame. His portrayal of paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park" made him an international star and led to appearances in later installments of the franchise.
Beyond the dinosaur films, Neill built a reputation for versatility with performances in films including "The Piano," "The Hunt for Red October," "Dead Calm," "A Cry in the Dark," "Event Horizon" and television productions such as "Peaky Blinders." His screen career encompassed more than 50 feature films and numerous television roles, earning multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations.
Neill revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer, and later chronicled his treatment in his memoir, "Did I Ever Tell You This?" Earlier this year, he announced that he was cancer-free after undergoing treatment, including CAR-T therapy.
In addition to acting, Neill operated the Two Paddocks winery in New Zealand and was known for his support of environmental causes. He was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022 for services to acting and the arts.
Tributes from colleagues, political leaders and members of the film industry followed the announcement of his death, recognizing his contributions to cinema and television across New Zealand, Australia and Hollywood. Neill is survived by his four children, according to family statements. The family has requested privacy and said further details regarding memorial arrangements would be announced at a later date.
