New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for his roles in Jurassic Park and The Piano, has died aged 78, his family said.
Neill died in Sydney, with a statement posted on his social media page describing his death as “sudden and unexpected.”
In 2023, the actor had revealed that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His family said he remained cancer-free at the time of his death, but did not specify a cause.
Neill built a career that moved between major blockbusters, independent films and television roles. He became widely recognised for playing Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, while also appearing in The Piano, Peaky Blinders, The Hunt for Red October and Omen III: The Final Conflict.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to Neill, describing him as “one of the greats” and noting his role in taking New Zealand stories to the world.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute, saying Neill fought illness with dignity, humour and conviction.
Born in Northern Ireland in 1947, Neill moved to New Zealand as a child. He later became one of the country’s most internationally recognised actors.
Away from acting, Neill also ran vineyards in New Zealand’s Central Otago region.
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