Bhubaneswar: Acclaimed New Zealand actor Sam Neill, who won global recognition for portraying Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, has died at the age of 78.
His family confirmed the news through a statement posted on his official Instagram account on Monday.
“It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” the statement said.
It added: “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.”
No cause of death was announced. Neill had been diagnosed with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2022. He later shared that he was cancer-free following treatment, according to reports.
The announcement triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans across the world, who remembered Neill for his versatility and enduring screen presence.
Born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, in 1947, Neill moved to New Zealand with his family during childhood. Although he initially studied law, he soon turned to acting and began performing in theatre before making his way into films.
His breakthrough came with the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs, which opened the door to an international career. He later earned acclaim for performances in My Brilliant Career, The Piano, Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, and many other films.
Neill became a household name in 1993 after starring as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster Jurassic Park. He reprised the role in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion, introducing the iconic character to a new generation of audiences.
Away from the big screen, Neill built a successful television career with roles in Peaky Blinders, The Tudors and The Twelve. He also received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the miniseries Reilly, Ace of Spies.
During a career spanning more than five decades, Neill appeared in over 150 film and television productions. He was widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors and leaves behind a lasting legacy in global cinema.
