Sam Neill, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders, has died at the age of 78. The news was confirmed on Monday, July 13, 2026, with his family describing the loss as "sudden and unexpected." Neill passed away in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by family. The cause of death has not been specified.
In 2022, Neill was diagnosed with Stage Three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, his family shared that he had been "cancer free" at the time of his death. His loved ones expressed gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their care.
Sam Neill's Most Notable Movies and TV Shows
Jurassic Park (1993, 2001, 2022)
Neill's most iconic role was as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park. He reprised the role in Jurassic Park III (2001) and the spin-off Jurassic World: Dominion (2022). He was part of the original cast alongside Richard Attenborough, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum.
Peaky Blinders (2013-2014)
In the BBC period drama Peaky Blinders, Neill played the villainous Major Chester Campbell in the first two seasons. His character, a corrupt Royal Irish Constabulary Chief Inspector, was determined to bring down Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his gang.
The Piano (1993)
Also in 1993, Neill showcased his range in Jane Campion's romantic drama The Piano. He played Alisdair Stewart, a man entangled in a complex relationship with mute pianist Ada (Holly Hunter) in 19th-century New Zealand.
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
In this war thriller, Neill played Captain Boderin, a composed naval officer, alongside stars like Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, and James Earl Jones. The film follows a rogue Soviet submarine captain.
The Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981)
Horror fans remember Neill as the antichrist Damien Thorn in the third Omen film. His character, now US Ambassador to Britain, seeks world domination.
The Tudors (2007)
Neill portrayed Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in the first season of the historical drama The Tudors. Wolsey serves as King Henry VIII's chief advisor, opposite actors like Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Natalie Dormer.
Other notable works include Crusoe, Alcatraz, The Dish, Untamed, Sirens, The Twelve, Sweet Country, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Sam Neill's family stated: "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."
