New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for his portrayal of Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park film franchise, has died at the age of 78.
Neill died in Sydney on Monday, July 13, according to a statement released by his family, who described his passing as “sudden and unexpected.” They said the veteran actor was surrounded by his family and died with the dignity that had characterised his life.
In the statement, the family noted that although Neill had battled blood cancer in recent years, he remained cancer-free at the time of his death. They did not disclose the cause of death.
Neill revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer. Earlier this year, he announced that he was cancer-free following successful treatment.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Neill earned international acclaim for his role as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park, a character he reprised in several sequels, including Jurassic World Dominion.
Beyond the Jurassic Park franchise, Neill appeared in numerous acclaimed films and television productions, including The Piano, Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, Event Horizon, Merlin, Peaky Blinders and The Tudors. His performances earned him widespread recognition as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors.
Following the announcement of his death, tributes poured in from colleagues, political leaders and fans around the world, with many remembering Neill for his warmth, humour and lasting contributions to film and television.