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Published 06:46 13 Jul 2026 GMT
Sam Neill, star of Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders, has died at the age of 78.
The hugely popular New Zealand actor’s family announced the news on his Instagram page in a short statement.
So far, no cause of death has been released, but Neill had recently released the news that he was cancer-free after being diagnosed with a type of blood cancer in 2022.
In the statement announcing his death, it read: “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 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.”
His loss was also mourned by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who 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.”
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Published 12:06 18 Mar 2023 GMT
Actor Sam Neill has reassured fans he is "fine" after revealing he has been battling stage three blood cancer and is "possibly dying".
The Jurassic Park star, 75, had revealed he was being treated for cancer in an extract from his upcoming memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This.
Speaking to the BBC, Neill revealed that he was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer back in March 2022 after doctors found he had "a ferocious type of aggressive" non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
He revealed that writing his memoir over the past year had provided him with a distraction and gave him "a reason to get through the day".
Neill had been diagnosed while promoting the third movie in the "requel" series of Jurassic Park last year, in which he was reunited with his original co-star, Laura Dern.
While on the promotional tour, Neill noticed he had "lumpy glands in his neck", which later turned out to be cancer.
This spurred him on to write a book about his life, in part to distract himself from treatment, admitting: "I didn't think I had a book in me, I just thought I'd write some stories. And I found it increasingly engrossing. A year later, not only have I written the book - I didn't have a ghostwriter - but it's come out in record time.
"I suspect my publishers, they're delightful people, but I think they wanted to get it out in a hurry just in case I kicked the bucket before it was time to release the thing."
Neill underwent chemotherapy, and though he did not respond well to the early rounds, he was then put on a new chemo drug which had an incredible effect on his condition.
He also revealed that while he will have to take the drug for the rest of his life, he is now in remission, adding: "I'm not afraid of dying, what I don't want to do is to stop living, because I really enjoy living."
Following the news of his cancer diagnosis, Neill took to Instagram on Saturday to clarify that he is doing well despite his earlier comments that he was "possibly dying".
He shared a video telling his fans: "Hi I’m Sam Neill, actor of sorts, vintner, and an author as it happens. And my news seems to be all over the news at the moment, and it’s sort of ‘Cancer! Cancer! Cancer!’ Which is slightly tiresome because as you see, I am alive and well and I have been in remission for eight months, which feels really good.
"And I’m alive and kicking and I’m going to work. I’m very happy to be going back to work. We start filming in seven days time. I’m doing a thing called ‘Apples Never Fall’ with Annette Bening, and a really wonderful cast.
"So here I am, and I just wish the headline wasn’t ‘that thing’ so much, because the main thing is that I have written this book, it’s called ‘Did I Ever Tell You This?’. And it does mention cancer because that’s the sort of context in which I wrote it."
He said that the response to his book has been "great", adding: "So I hope you enjoy it and let’s not worry too much about ‘all that’ because I’m fine. Okay!"
We wish him all the best for the future amid his ongoing recovery.
Did I Ever Tell you This? will be available on March 21.
Published 21:45 17 Mar 2023 GMT
Sam Neill has shared the devastating news that he is battling Stage 3 cancer.
Speaking to the BBC, the 75 Jurassic Park star revealed that he was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer back in March 2022 - explaining that he has had "a ferocious type of aggressive" non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
With the illness leaving Neill unable to work, the actor revealed that he has been writing over the past year in order to provide him with a distraction and "give [him] a reason to get through the day".
As a result, he has unveiled his new memoir - titled Did I Ever Tell you This? - in which, he candidly discusses his famed acting career and his battle with cancer.
Neill returned to the Jurassic movie franchise last year, appearing in the third movie of the "requel" series, Jurassic World Dominion last year. In the movie, he was reunited with his original Jurassic Park co-star, Laura Dern.
However, while promoting the movie as part of a publicity tour, Neill noticed he had "lumpy glands in his neck", BBC reports.
After doctors informed him of the diagnosis, the star reveals that he started to "take stock of things", and started to write about his life.
"I didn't think I had a book in me," he admitted, adding: "I just thought I'd write some stories. And I found it increasingly engrossing. A year later, not only have I written the book - I didn't have a ghost writer - but it's come out in record time.
"I suspect my publishers, they're delightful people, but I think they wanted to get it out in a hurry just in case I kicked the bucket before it was time to release the thing."
The actor underwent chemotherapy in order to fight the illness - writing in the memoir that this caused him to face a "bald, wizened old man" in the mirror.
"More than anything I want my beard back. I don't like the look of my face one bit," Niell revealed.
Although the actor did not respond well to his early rounds of chemotherapy, he was soon placed on a new chemo drug, which had an incredible effect on his condition.
In some hopeful news, the actor did reveal - although he will have to take the drug for the rest of his life - he is now in remission.
"I'm not afraid of dying," the Peaky Blinders said. "What I don't want to do is to stop living, because I really enjoy living."
We wish Neill the very best for the future.
Did I Ever Tell you This? will be available on March 21.
If you or somebody you love has been impacted by cancer, you can contact The American Cancer Society 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1-800-227-2345. For more information about Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, click here.Published 10:43 17 Oct 2023 GMT
Sam Neill has revealed that he is "prepared" for death as he has updated fans on his battle against his cancer diagnosis.
Earlier this year, the 76-year-old Jurassic Park legend disclosed his health ordeal in an excerpt from his upcoming memoir, aptly titled Did I Ever Tell You This.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Neill disclosed that his medical journey started in March 2022 when he was diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma - an aggressive form of cancer.
The unwelcome news of his diagnosis coincided with Neill's promotional tour for the third installment of the "requel" series of Jurassic Park, where he was reunited with his original co-star, Laura Dern.
During this period, he observed "lumpy glands in his neck," which were later confirmed to be cancerous.
Enduring rounds of chemotherapy, Neill faced initial setbacks. However, a turning point arrived when he was administered a novel chemotherapy drug that produced remarkable results.
Though he'll be required to continue taking the medication for the rest of his life, he revealed earlier in the year that he was in remission.
Neill, ever the optimist, expressed: "I'm not afraid of dying; what I don't want to do is to stop living because I really enjoy living."
The actor told ABC that although he is still in remission, the doctors have told him that the medication he is on will stop working in the future.
"I’m prepared for that," Neill said while adding that he is "not remotely afraid" of dying.
Neill went on: "I started to look at my life and realize how immensely grateful I am for so much of it. I started to think I better write some of this down because I’m not sure how long I have to live. I was running against the clock."
That being said, he revealed that dying would "annoy" him. He said: "I’d really like another decade or two, you know?"
"We’ve built all these lovely terraces, we’ve got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be around to see it all mature. And I’ve got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big. But as for the dying? I couldn’t care less."
The actor spoke to the Independent earlier this year where he explained that he had no intention of giving up his day job, describing the idea as "intolerable".
Neill said: "I love acting. It’s really good for me to keep walking onto new sets with young actors and all that stimulation. New words, new ideas, there’s nothing like it. I never want to give that up. The idea of retirement, of having to play golf, fills me with untold dread."
We wish Neill all the best.
Published 19:26 02 May 2024 GMT
Sam Neill has disclosed why he gave up his "embarrassing" real name.
The 76-year-old New Zealand actor gained international prominence after starring as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993), which follows scientists visiting a safari amusement park of genetically engineered dinosaurs on an island over one weekend.
The Steven Spielberg directional was a blockbuster hit, grossing a staggering $914 million worldwide in its original theatrical run.
Neill reprised his role in the following films: Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). But after becoming one of the most-recognized actors on the planet, it turns out many of us still don't know his real name.
The Peaky Blinders star recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show to promote his new Peacock’s mystery drama miniseries, Apples Never Fall.
After he was welcomed by the 42-year-old host, she said: “I didn’t even realize that your real name isn’t even Sam.”
Watch Neill on The Kelly Clarkson Show below:
Letting out a sigh, the Jurassic Park icon responded: “That’s embarrassing that you know that. I was christened Nigel Neill – that’s like my parents giving me a disadvantage from the start.”
“I think Nigel Neill is strong,” the singer contended, to which Neill argued: “No, no. You never want to be called Nigel.
"It’s also called ‘Nigel No Mates’, you know, ‘Nigel No Friends.'"
The Kiwi star then shared that when he was 10, his best friend was called Nigel Nut, saying: "Which is even worse".
“Yeah, that was a disadvantage. But we liked Westerns, and we thought, ‘Let’s not just call ourselves Nigel, let’s have a nickname.’ So I was called Sam and he was called Bill, and that was the best decision I ever made,” he added.
Neill's new miniseries is an adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s 2021 novel of the same name.
It follows the well-known Delaney family, who have plenty of secrets that get exposed after their matriarch, Joy (Annette Bening), goes missing.
Joy's disappearance rocks the community, especially as her husband, Stan (Neill), becomes the prime suspect in the shocking case.
The show also stars Alison Brie as Amy Delaney, Conor Merrigan Turner as Logan Delaney, Essie Randles as Brooke Delaney, Jake Lacy as Troy Delaney, Paula Andrea Placido as Gina Solis, and more.
All seven episodes of Apples Never Fall are available to stream on Peacock.
Last year, Neill revealed that he was in remission following an angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma diagnosis. He later told fans he is "prepared" for death.
Neill, ever the optimist, expressed: "I'm not afraid of dying; what I don't want to do is to stop living because I really enjoy living."
Published 09:34 18 Oct 2023 GMT
Sam Neill has reached out to fans with a heartfelt video, addressing the concern that arose after his recent cancer update.
The Jurassic Park star, known for his captivating on-screen presence, clarified remarks he made on ABC's Australian Story that have since triggered waves of worry and support.
In the candid episode, the 76-year-old New Zealand actor opened up about his current anti-cancer medication which, while having placed him in remission, will eventually lose its efficacy.
"I’m prepared for that," Neill said while adding that he is "not remotely afraid" of dying.
Neill had initially shared his stage-three blood cancer diagnosis earlier in March, through his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This?. Despite the grim diagnosis, he remained stoic, stating he wasn’t “remotely afraid” of the eventual outcome.
Sam Neill issues an emotional apology to his fans:Following the show's airing, there was an avalanche of concern for the actor. In response, Neill took to Instagram to provide some context.
"They [ABC] showed Australian Story last night, and I made a passing remark there that the treatment I’m on, which has me in remission, will inevitably fail one day," he explained, emphasizing that the comment was "taken out of context" and "conflated".
Optimistically, he added, "It’s a whole new ball game.”, referring to the rapid advancements in cancer treatments.
The video, which showcased the actor sitting on a porch in Perth while shooting for the Foxtel drama The Twelve, was particularly poignant as Neill, known for his usual stoicism, appeared visibly choked up. Assuring fans he remarked, "It’s all good. It’s all fine. It’s a beautiful day. I’m off to work.”
The illustrious actor's health journey began in early 2022 when he detected swollen glands while promoting Jurassic World Dominion.
This discovery led him to revisit his iconic role of Dr. Alan Grant, over three decades after its inception in Spielberg's cinematic masterpiece. After an initial round of chemotherapy showed no positive results, Neill was introduced to a "very expensive" anti-cancer drug, which, as per his conversation with The Guardian, left him feeling "s**thouse" for a couple of days post-consumption.
As Neill continues to immerse himself in work, filming the second season of the legal drama and gearing up for the mini-series, Apples Never Fall, based on Liane Moriarty’s acclaimed novel, fans worldwide send him love and well-wishes.
Through his resilience and transparency, Neill not only exemplifies grace under pressure but also provides hope for many grappling with similar health battles.
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