Actor Sam Neill passed away due to pneumonia and will be remembered in a private family memorial at his New Zealand farm, as confirmed by his agent to The Associated Press. Neill, renowned for his roles in movies like “Jurassic Park” and “The Piano,” died at the age of 78 in Sydney, according to his family.
His agent, Philip Grenz, clarified that Neill succumbed to pneumonia after successfully battling lymphoma with CAR-T therapy. Despite his illness, Neill managed to complete filming on four consecutive projects set for release soon.
Due to Neill’s preference for privacy, his family plans to hold a quiet memorial on his New Zealand farm at a later date. Neill had previously shared his battle with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and his subsequent victory over cancer with CAR-T therapy. Colleagues in the film industry paid tribute to Neill’s kindness and wit, with director Taika Waititi expressing deep sorrow at his passing.
Steven Spielberg, who directed Neill in “Jurassic Park,” praised the late actor’s collaborative spirit and noted that Neill would always be remembered as part of their “Jurassic” family. Neill’s international acclaim stemmed from his participation in the flourishing Australian film scene of the late 1970s, earning recognition through Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations.
In addition to his acting career, Neill made contributions to Canadian productions, including the Netflix series “Untamed.” In New Zealand, he was esteemed for his humility and community involvement, alongside his winemaking endeavors under the Two Paddocks label in the Central Otago region.
Survived by four children and eight grandchildren, Sam Neill leaves behind a legacy cherished by fans worldwide.