Actor Sam Neill, best known for his role in “Jurassic Park,” passed away due to pneumonia after successfully battling lymphoma with CAR-T therapy. This information was confirmed by his representative on Thursday, clarifying earlier reports about his death that were deemed inaccurate.
Neill’s attorney, Philip Grenz, stated that the family requested clarity regarding the 78-year-old actor’s passing, following a wave of misinformation from various media sources. Neill, known for valuing his privacy, will be honored in a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand.
“Sam died of pneumonia,” Grenz mentioned. He also highlighted that, prior to this illness, Neill had courageously fought and overcome lymphoma using a new treatment option called CAR-T therapy.
In recent months, Neill had completed four projects that are set to be released soon. His family disclosed that he died at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by loved ones. “Sam passed away surrounded by his family and with the dignity that characterized his life,” they shared. While the death came as a shock, they noted that the fact he did not have cancer was a small mercy amidst the tragedy.
In 2023, Neill announced his diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. By April, he joyfully declared himself cancer-free after undergoing treatment. Reflecting on this remarkable recovery, he expressed his excitement about the results.
Friends and colleagues portrayed Neill as a genuine, witty, and notably private individual who did not allow his health issues to hinder his creativity. Rima Te Wiata, who acted alongside him in “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” recalled him as a “stable, peaceful, down-to-earth person.” She also noted a hint of dark humor regarding the unfortunate timing of his pneumonia following his cancer battle.
Tributes poured in from various Hollywood personalities. Director Steven Spielberg remarked, “I loved making all the Jurassic movies with him,” stressing that Neill would be fondly remembered by both his colleagues and fans alike.
Neill, born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Northern Ireland in 1947, moved to New Zealand as a child and became an acclaimed international star. His breakthrough moment came in the 1977 film “Sleeping Dogs.” Over the span of more than five decades, he showcased his talents in over 150 films and series, including “The Hunt for Red October,” “The Piano,” and “Peaky Blinders.”
He reprised his role as Dr. Alan Grant in “Jurassic Park III” and returned alongside Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum in 2022’s “Jurassic World Dominion.”
Outside of acting, Neill dedicated much of his time to his vineyard, Two Paddocks, located in New Zealand’s Central Otago region, where he crafted Pinot Noir and Riesling wines. He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.
