Sam Neill dies months after revealing he was cancer-free
Hollywood is mourning Sam Neill after the beloved actor died unexpectedly at 78
Acclaimed New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, has died at the age of 78, his family announced on Monday. They described his passing as "sudden and unexpected."
In a statement shared on social media, Neill's family said the actor died surrounded by loved ones in Sydney, Australia, adding that he passed away "with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."
The family also confirmed Neill remained cancer-free at the time of his death. No official cause of death has been disclosed.
Just months ago, the actor revealed that scans showed no trace of cancer following his 2022 diagnosis with blood cancer.
Speaking during an interview in April, Neill celebrated the positive news and joked, "It's time I did another movie."
Neill rose to international fame as the fearless palaeontologist in Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park, later reprising the beloved role in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion.
His acclaimed career also included The Piano, Peaky Blinders, The Tudors and The Simpsons. Two films, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and The Last Resort, are scheduled for posthumous release in 2027.
