The Northern Ireland-born New Zealand actor Sam Neill died aged 78 in Sydney, Australia, on Monday. He was best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the blockbuster Jurassic Park franchise and sadistic police officer Major Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders.
Tributes from Co-Stars
Cillian Murphy, who played Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, said: "Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure. He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors…RIP."
The show's official page posted: "We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died. Sam's portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages. A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny, and supremely entertaining to watch. Sam was one of the key forces that got Peaky Blinders off to a running start, for which we will be forever grateful."
Joe Cole, Neill's co-star in Peaky Blinders, posted on Instagram: "Rest in peace big dog."
Spielberg and Political Leaders Remember
Steven Spielberg said in a statement: "I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention and led to his playing Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. Sam was exceptionally collaborative. It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children. I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him. Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world."
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern wrote on Instagram: "It was just a few weeks ago that I had the profound joy of sitting with Sam Neill, talking about life, politics, and home. He was such a thoughtful, curious and decent person. Someone who was principled, unafraid of speaking his mind, and willing to take up a fight when he saw injustice. He was also an artist, and anyone who watched him perform knew he was someone special. We've lost another incredible Kiwi, and I feel profoundly sad."
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: "Sir Sam Neill was one of the greats. He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of. For more than 50 years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added: "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."
Career Highlights and Personal Life
Neill announced in April 2026 that he was cancer-free after treatment for an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His family said: "The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free." A statement on Instagram said he died "with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."
Born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, to an English mother and New Zealand father, Neill first gained attention in the 1977 thriller Sleeping Dogs. His breakthrough came in 1993's Jurassic Park, a franchise he returned to in Jurassic Park III and 2022's Jurassic World Dominion. He was also acclaimed for The Piano, The Hunt For Red October, and Hunt For The Wilderpeople.
He lived on a farm and winery called Two Paddocks in Central Otago, New Zealand, which he established in 1993. He leaves four children and eight grandchildren. His most recent TV series included The Twelve, Apples Never Fall, and Untamed, with films Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and The Last Resort to be released next year.
