Acclaimed New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for portraying Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park film series, has died at the age of 78, his family confirmed on Monday.
Neill passed away in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by family, bringing an end to a celebrated acting career that spanned more than five decades and earned him international recognition across film and television.
Family confirms his passing
In a statement released shortly after his death, Neill’s family announced the sad news and requested privacy as they mourned his loss.
“It is with immense sadness that the whānau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday, 13th July, in Sydney, Australia.”
The family said the actor passed away peacefully with dignity while surrounded by his loved ones.
“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.”
They also expressed gratitude to the medical team at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney for the care provided during his final days.
The family said additional information regarding memorial arrangements would be shared at a later date and appealed to the public and media to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
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Battle with cancer
Sam Neill revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with stage-three blood cancer in March 2022. After undergoing treatment, including CAR T-cell therapy, he announced earlier this year that he was cancer-free, giving hope to fans around the world.
His family noted that although his passing was sudden, he was no longer battling cancer at the time of his death.
A legendary film career
Sam Neill became a household name after starring as Dr. Alan Grant, the intelligent and determined paleontologist, in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park. He later reprised the beloved role in several sequels, including Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion (2022).
Beyond the Jurassic franchise, Neill built an acclaimed international career with memorable performances in films such as The Hunt for Red October, The Piano, Event Horizon, Dead Calm, and numerous television productions.
Widely respected for his versatility and understated screen presence, he remained one of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors throughout his career.
Final projects to be released posthumously
Before his death, Sam Neill had completed work on two upcoming films, The Last Resort and Godzilla x Kong: Supernova.
Both projects are expected to be released posthumously, allowing audiences one final opportunity to see the veteran actor on screen.
Neill’s passing marks the loss of one of cinema’s most admired performers, whose work inspired generations of moviegoers and left a lasting legacy in Hollywood and beyond.
