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Sam Neill died from pneumonia, his agent confirmed in a statement ahead of the beloved actor’s family’s plans for a private funeral service.
The Northern Ireland-born New Zealand star, best known for his role as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, died at the age of 78 in Sydney, Australia, on Monday.
His family described his death as “sudden and unexpected”, as it came just months after Neill announced he was cancer-free following treatment for a “ferocious” form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma he was diagnosed with three years ago.
Neill was best known for his starring role in Jurassic Park (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)PA ArchivePhilip Grenz, the actor’s agent, said in a statement: “Since Sam Neill’s passing, several stories have appeared in the media which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods.
“As Sam Neill’s longtime rep, I spoke with his family and wish to clarify some details for his fans.
“Sam passed away from pneumonia. Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy.
“In addition to running his award-winning winery, Two Paddocks, Sam had filmed four projects back-to-back during the past year, all of which will be released within the coming months.”
Grenz also revealed that Neill’s family plans to hold a private funeral service for the “intensely private” actor, who “loathed a fuss”, he added.
The memorial will take place on Neill’s farm in New Zealand “at a still-undetermined later date”.
“I’d like to thank those who were truly close to Sam for considering his privacy with the respect he earned and his loved ones need and deserve during this immeasurably difficult time,” Grenz concluded.
Neill, pictured arriving at the premiere of "Blackbird" during the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019, died from pneumonia (Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP)AFP/GettyOn Monday, Neill’s family released a statement announcing his death and said he was “surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life”.
They added: “The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free.”
In lieu of flowers, his family requested donations to the Dunstan Hospital Foundation in New Zealand, the blood cancer research charity the Snowdome Foundation, or groups working to protect New Zealand’s flora and fauna.
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Tributes from Neill’s numerous co-stars poured in following the announcement, including from Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum who starred in Jurassic Park alongside Neill.
Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Laura Dern and Sam Neill watch dinosaur eggs hatch in a scene from the film 'Jurassic Park'Getty ImagesDern said: “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.”
Goldblum said: “The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever.”
Neill was also known for his role as corrupt senior police officer Major Chester Campbell in the first two series of Peaky Blinders opposite Cillian Murphy.
In his tribue to Neill, Murphy 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.”
Australian singer Kylie Minogue and British actor Richard E Grant also remembered Neill fondly through their tributes on social media.
Fellow actor Grant said in a post on Instagram: “Knew @samneilltheprop for three decades and finally worked with him on Palm Beach in 2018.
“An officer and a gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my life. Pictured beside producer @deb_bal & @ladyheathermitchell. Sail on, kind Sir.”
Singer Kylie Minogue shared the words “vale Sam”, using the Latin word for “farewell” under the announcement of his death on Instagram, while Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley posted a heart emoji.
Born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, to an English mother and New Zealand father, Neill first gained attention for his role in the 1977 thriller, Sleeping Dogs.
His breakthrough came in 1993’s Jurassic Park, a franchise he later returned to in Jurassic Park III and 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion.
Neill was also widely acclaimed for his turn as New Zealand settler Alisdair Stewart in Jane Campion’s Oscar-winning film, The Piano, as well as Sean Connery thriller The Hunt For Red October, and Taika Waititi’s breakout hit, Hunt For The Wilderpeople.
At his home in New Zealand’s Central Otago region, Neill owned Two Paddocks, a farm and winery he established in 1993.
The property sat next door to that of his friend, Sleeping Dogs director Roger Donaldson.