Hollywood is mourning the loss of actor Sam Neill, who died at 78 on July 13, 2026. His family announced the news in an emotional statement, revealing he was surrounded by loved ones in Sydney, Australia. Best known for his roles as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park and Alisdair Stewart in The Piano, Neill's death was sudden but peaceful, with his family noting he remained cancer-free.
Screen Test for 007 Resurfaces
In the wake of his death, a 1986 screen test for James Bond has re-emerged online. Neill auditioned for the role in The Living Daylights (1987), which ultimately went to Timothy Dalton. Fans have shared theories on social media about why he was overlooked, with many believing he was not suited for the part.
One X user stated: "Sam Neill originally auditioned for James Bond in The Living Daylights (1987). He later admitted he knew almost immediately he wasn’t right for the role, which ultimately went to Timothy Dalton." Another added: "Sam Neill was also *this close* to being James Bond. I think he would have been well received in the part as Roger Moore's successor."
Neill's Own Reluctance
In 2022, Neill told Den of Geek: "First of all, I wouldn’t have taken the role if they’d asked me to do it. It was the last time that I was bullied into doing a screen test. My agent insisted that I go and do it, [saying] it would be rude otherwise. So reluctantly I went out to Pinewood [Studios] and did this silly thing for a part I never wanted to do."
He continued: "It was a part that my friend Pierce Brosnan was mad keen to do, and he was very good at it. I wouldn’t have been any good and I wouldn’t have enjoyed it. And I certainly wouldn’t have enjoyed being recognized as that James Bond you didn’t like. So it was never a question."
Career and Health Battle
Neill later appeared in crime drama Peaky Blinders as Chief Inspector Chester Campbell. In 2023, he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer. Although the disease went into remission, he continued monthly chemotherapy. That same year, he published his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, reflecting on his career and cancer battle.
