Actor Sam Neill dies at 78 after pneumonia, weeks after being declared cancer-free
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for his role in "Jurassic Park," died in Sydney following pneumonia, days after confirming he was free of stage-3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Sam Neill, the 78-year-old New Zealand actor best known for playing paleontologist Alan Grant in "Jurassic Park," died on Monday at St. Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney after contracting pneumonia. His family announced the death on social media, noting that he was surrounded by relatives and that his passing was sudden and unexpected, though he had been cancer-free at the time.
Rima Te Wiata, who worked with Neill on the 2016 film "Hunt for the Wilderpeople," told The New Zealand Herald that Neill was "a very steady, peaceful, grounded man" and recalled that he had once said he was not afraid of death but would be "annoyed" by it. Te Wiata added that Neill had recently overcome stage-3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a diagnosis announced in April.
Colleagues and friends shared tributes. Laura Dern described Neill as a "beloved lifetime friend" and praised his loyalty and wit. Jeff Goldblum posted images from their 1993 film with a message about a new adventure. Director Steven Spielberg said he "adored making all the 'Jurassic' movies with him" and affirmed that Neill would not be forgotten by the "Jurassic family" and fans worldwide. Cillian Murphy, Nicole Kidman, and other co-stars also recalled his kindness and professionalism.
Journalist Laura Tingle, who previously dated Neill, said he had been ill for several weeks and that extensive chemotherapy and immunotherapy had left his immune system compromised, making recovery from pneumonia difficult. Neill's career spanned more than 150 film and television credits, including "The Hunt for Red October," "The Piano," "Event Horizon," and a role in the series "Peaky Blinders." He was knighted in New Zealand in 2022 for his contributions to film.