Kiwi screen legend Sir Sam Neill has died, aged 78.
News of the Jurassic Park star's death was confirmed today on social media.
"It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia,” the post read.
"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.
"The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. They 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."
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a statement, Sir Sam was "one of the greats".
"He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of. For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports. His work will be watched and loved long after all of us. Our thoughts are with his family and friends tonight. Rest in Peace."
In March 2023, Sir Sam revealed he had been undergoing chemotherapy for a year, having been diagnosed with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. At the time, he said the cancer was in remission but he required monthly chemotherapy.
Sir Nigel John Dermot Neill was born in Northern Ireland to an English mother and Kiwi father in 1947. His family moved to Christchurch in 1954.
He started calling himself "Sam" while at school, because of the number of other Nigels.
"I encouraged the nickname because I thought I'd be slightly less likely to be victimised during the tender years," he said about his stage name. "Nigel was a little effete for the rigours of a New Zealand playground."
A life on screen
Sir Sam began acting while studying at Canterbury University, performing in various stage productions in Christchurch and then Wellington after moving to Victoria University.
His first film role was in 1971's The City of No. Six years later, in 1977, Neill starred in Roger Donaldson's Sleeping Dogs – his breakout role.
He then moved to Australia, where he played Harry Beecham opposite Judy Davis in 1979's My Brilliant Career, which became a global success.
His first international role was in 1981's Omen III: The Final Conflict.
In 1983, Sir Sam played Sidney Reilly, a real-life spy, in the mini-series Reilly, Ace of Spies, earning a Golden Globe nomination. He was one of the leading candidates to succeed Roger Moore as James Bond but he ultimately lost out to Timothy Dalton.
His most famous role was as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's 1993 hit Jurassic Park, alongside Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. He reprised the role of Dr Grant twice more, in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022).
While making his mark on Hollywood, Sir Sam continued to act in New Zealand films.
The same year Jurassic Park was released, he acted in Jane Campion's The Piano, again receiving global acclaim. In 2016, Sir Sam played the gruff bushman Hector Faulkner in Taika Waititi's Hunt for the Wilderpeople, which, according to the NZ Film Commission, was the highest-grossing New Zealand film at the local box office.
He also played several notable roles on the small screen, including the title character in the 1998 series Merlin, and Chief Inspector Chester Campbell, a sadistic and corrupt policeman from Northern Ireland, in Peaky Blinders.
Home in Alexandra
He lived in Alexandra and owned a winery called Two Paddocks, comprising a vineyard in Gibbston and two others near Alexandra. The animals at the farms were named after his film industry colleagues.
"It is a ridiculously time and money-consuming business. I would not do it if it was not so satisfying and fun, and it gets me pissed once in a while," Sir Sam said about the wine business.
The prolific actor was also a keen conservationist.
In December, Sir Sam spoke out against a controversial Santana Minerals open-cast mine planned near Cromwell, in Central Otago.
Facebook group Santana Mine Supporters issued a statement following the news of his death, calling Sir Sam "one of New Zealand’s greatest actors and one of Central Otago’s most passionate ambassadors".
"Regardless whether you agreed with his views about the mine or not, his contribution to New Zealand’s arts, culture, and international reputation was extraordinary. His legacy will endure for generations.
"Through his remarkable career, his vineyard, and his obvious love for this region, he introduced the beauty and character of Central Otago to people all over the world. He was an icon whose influence reached far beyond the screen.
"Our sincere condolences go to his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone mourning his loss. Rest in peace, Sam."
A man of honours and awards
In 1991, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire and appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM) in 2007.
When knighthoods were returned to the New Zealand honours system in 2009, those with DCNZM or higher honours were given the option of converting them into knighthoods. However, Sir Sam chose not to do this, saying the title of "Sir" was "just far too grand, by far".
In 2022, however, he accepted the redesignation and became Sir Sam Neill.
His memoir, Did I Ever Tell You this? was published in 2023 with anecdotes from his acting career and his health struggles.
Last year, Sir Sam received the Screen Legend Award at the New Zealand Screen Awards.
Sir Sam is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.
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