Sam Neill, the acclaimed New Zealand actor best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, died from pneumonia, his long-time representative confirmed. The 78-year-old passed away in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, surrounded by family.
Agent Clarifies Cause of Death
Philip Grenz, Neill's agent, issued a statement correcting what he described as inaccuracies and falsehoods in media reports. “Sam passed away from pneumonia,” Grenz said. “Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy.”
Neill had announced he was cancer-free months earlier after undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which he revealed three years prior.
Career and Recent Projects
In addition to his iconic role in Jurassic Park, Neill appeared in The Piano, The Hunt for Red October, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. He also played Major Chester Campbell in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders.
Grenz noted that Neill had filmed four projects back-to-back over the past year, all set for release in coming months. “As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honour him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand,” Grenz added.
Tributes from Co-Stars
Cillian Murphy, his Peaky Blinders co-star, 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.”
Jurassic Park co-star Laura Dern wrote: “Sam was my beloved lifetime friend… He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness, and love, always with the driest of wit. He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr Alan Grant.” Jeff Goldblum added: “The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever.”
Private Life and Legacy
Born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, to an English mother and New Zealand father, Neill gained early attention for the 1977 thriller Sleeping Dogs. His breakthrough came with 1993's Jurassic Park, a role he reprised in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). He also owned Two Paddocks, a winery in New Zealand's Central Otago region, established in 1993.
His family requested donations to the Dunstan Hospital Foundation, the Snowdome Foundation, or groups protecting New Zealand's flora and fauna in lieu of flowers.
