Sam Neill, the acclaimed New Zealand actor famous for his roles in “Jurassic Park” and “The Piano,” died from pneumonia in a Sydney hospital on Monday at age 78. His longtime agent, Philip Grenz, confirmed the cause of death on Thursday after consulting with the actor’s family to correct what he described as inaccurate and false media reports circulating online.
Although Neill’s family had initially described his sudden passing as unexpected without disclosing the exact cause, Grenz clarified that the actor was entirely cancer-free when he died.
Neill had successfully fought and beaten stage-three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer, using an innovative treatment known as CAR-T therapy. Despite defeating the disease, his intensive treatments had left his immune system compromised, making him vulnerable to the infection.
Grenz also shared that Neill remained highly active professionally until his final weeks, completing four back-to-back film and television projects over the past year. These final works are scheduled for release in the coming months. In accordance with Neill’s deeply private nature and his desire to avoid public fuss, his family plans to hold a small, private memorial service at his farm in New Zealand at a date yet to be determined.
Read more about this topic: Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill dies at 78 (with video)
Tributes from across the global film industry have poured in for the beloved actor. Director Steven Spielberg praised Neill’s collaborative spirit, noting how much he loved working with him on the “Jurassic Park” movies.
Fellow co-star Taika Waititi, who directed him in “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” also shared a touching tribute, alongside condolences from world leaders.
Beyond his prolific acting career, Neill was celebrated locally as a down-to-earth community supporter and a passionate vintner who operated his own winery, Two Paddocks, in New Zealand’s Central Otago region. He is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.
