Actor Sam Neill passed away from pneumonia, and a private family memorial will be held at his New Zealand farm, as confirmed by his agent to The Associated Press. Neill, known for his roles in movies like “Jurassic Park” and “The Piano,” died at the age of 78 in Sydney. His agent, Philip Grenz, clarified that Neill had battled and overcome lymphoma through CAR-T therapy before succumbing to pneumonia.
Despite his private nature, Neill had been actively working on four upcoming projects over the past year. His family plans to honor him with a private memorial on his New Zealand farm at a later date. Neill had revealed his battle with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2023 and announced his cancer-free status in April this year.
Following Neill’s passing, tributes poured in from colleagues in the film industry, highlighting his warmth and wit. Director Taika Waititi, who worked with Neill on “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” expressed his love and appreciation for the late actor on social media.
Renowned director Steven Spielberg, who directed Neill in “Jurassic Park,” praised Neill’s collaborative spirit and expressed that he will always be remembered within the “Jurassic” family and by his global fan base.
Aside from his successful acting career, Neill was also known for his winemaking ventures under the Two Paddocks label in New Zealand. He leaves behind four children and eight grandchildren, having made significant contributions to both the film industry and his community.
The passing of Sam Neill marks the end of an era for Australian and New Zealand cinema, where he achieved international acclaim and earned multiple award nominations throughout his illustrious career.