Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for starring in the Jurassic Park films and Peaky Blinders, has died in Australia at the age of 78.
The Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy-nominated actor’s death was announced tonight on Neill’s official Instagram page.
“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 characterized his whole life.
The loss was sudden and unexpected, but we are grateful 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.
More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”
During a career spanning nearly 50 years, Sam Neill appeared in more than 150 film and television productions, including over 50 feature films, becoming one of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors. He starred in acclaimed projects such as the Jurassic Park trilogy, Dead Calm (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Jane Campion’s Oscar-winning The Piano (1993), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), in which he portrayed an actor playing Odin. He also earned praise for his performance as the ruthless Major Chester Campbell in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders.
For the final time, Neill will be seen on the big screen in the upcoming Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, which is scheduled to be released on March 26, 2027.
