The Jurassic Park star died from pneumonia after previously overcoming a rare form of lymphoma, his agent has confirmed, following reports surrounding his unexpected death.
Sam Neill, the acclaimed actor best known for his role as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, died from pneumonia, his agent has revealed.
Neill, who was 78, died this week in Sydney, Australia. His family announced his death earlier, describing it as sudden and unexpected, but did not initially disclose the cause.
His agent, Philip Grenz, later confirmed the cause of death while addressing what he described as inaccurate reports about the actor’s passing.
“Sam passed away from pneumonia,” Grenz said in a statement to The Associated Press.
The agent added that before becoming ill, Neill had successfully battled a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma after receiving CAR-T therapy, an advanced treatment used in certain cancer cases.
Sam Neill’s health journey and lasting film legacy
Neill publicly revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer.
The actor later announced that he was in remission, and his family said he remained cancer-free when he died.
Despite his health challenges, Neill continued working in the entertainment industry. His agent said the actor filmed four projects back-to-back in the year before his death, with those productions expected to be released in the coming months.
Known for his privacy, Neill’s family said he would be honoured with a private memorial service at his farm in New Zealand at a later date.
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from colleagues and fans around the world, with many remembering him as a talented performer, a thoughtful colleague and a person known for his warmth and humour.
Director Steven Spielberg, who worked with Neill on the original Jurassic Park film, paid tribute to the actor’s contribution to the franchise.
“I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him,” Spielberg said.
He added that Neill, alongside fellow Jurassic Park stars Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, would always remain part of the franchise’s legacy.
Director Taika Waititi, who worked with Neill on Hunt for the Wilderpeople, also remembered the actor fondly, describing him as someone who would be deeply missed.
Born in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand, Neill became one of the most recognised actors from the wave of Australian and New Zealand cinema that gained international attention from the late 1970s.
Beyond acting, he was also a successful winemaker. Through his Two Paddocks brand, Neill produced pinot noir and riesling wines from his vineyard in New Zealand’s Central Otago region.
Throughout his career, Neill appeared in numerous acclaimed films and television productions, earning recognition for his versatility across different genres.
He is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.
Sam Neill’s career and contributions to film continue to be remembered by audiences worldwide, with his performances remaining a major part of modern cinema history.
