Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders actor Sam Neill has died, aged 78

Actor Sam Neill, best known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders, has died in Sydney, Australia at the age of 78.

The Northern Ireland-born actor said he had been diagnosed with cancer in 2023 but in April this year, he shared that he was cancer free. A statement posted on Instagram today reads "It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday, July 13, in Sydney Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."

"The loss was sudden and expected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care."

 

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Throughout his life, Neill starred in at least 75 films.

He is remembered as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993), a role he returned to in 2001's Jurassic Park III and 2022's Jurassic World Dominion. He also played Belfast Chief of Police, Major Chester Campbell in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders.

His initial success was in 1977's Sleeping Dogs, where he played the role of Smith. In 1993, Neill opened a winery next door to the house of the director, Roger Donaldson, where he lived until his death. The actor and director were close friends and in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Donaldson reflected on casting Neill for Sleeping Dogs. "I’d seen Sam in a small film where he played a priest and I thought I was seeing an interview with an actual priest, he was so convincing."

More of his movies include major roles in Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), The Hunt for Red October (1990) and The Piano (1993).

Neill is recognised by IMDB as one of the 'Top 20 New Zealand Actors,' though he also had Irish roots. Neill was born in Omagh in the North of Ireland. His mother was from England and his father was from New Zealand. His family moved to New Zealand when he was seven. In a 2012 BBC interview, he said, "I was born in Omagh, we lived in Armagh and my favourite place here was Tyrella beach, I sort of think that's where I grew up."

In a tribute to the actor on X, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote: "Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance. He will be much mourned and long remembered."