Alec Baldwin's Sam Neill tribute sparks backlash online
Critics accuse Baldwin of making the video about himself
Alec Baldwin is facing criticism after sharing a nearly three-minute Instagram tribute to his late The Hunt for Red October co-star Sam Neill, with many social media users claiming the actor spent more time discussing himself than honouring Neill.
Baldwin, 68, posted the video on Monday following Neill's death at 78. He opened by saying he was "stricken" by the news before recalling his experience filming the 1990 thriller. Throughout the video, Baldwin reflected on working with director John McTiernan, meeting author Tom Clancy and named several cast members, including Sean Connery, Tim Curry and James Earl Jones.
Fans accuse Baldwin of making tribute about himself
While Baldwin spoke extensively about the film and his memories from the production, he only briefly mentioned Neill at the beginning and end of the video. He concluded by saying he was a fan of the cast's work before adding, "My God. Sam Neill. My love to his family."
The tribute quickly sparked backlash on X, where users accused Baldwin of turning the memorial into a story about himself. One person wrote that he "had zero to say about Sam," while another claimed he appeared to remember the purpose of the video only in its final moments.
Others defended Baldwin, arguing that he often reflects on his experiences when remembering former colleagues and that his comments came from a place of genuine admiration.
Sam Neill dies at 78
Neill died on Monday at the age of 78 after previously revealing he was cancer-free following treatment for blood cancer. His family said in a statement that he died unexpectedly in Sydney while surrounded by loved ones.
The New Zealand actor was best known for roles in Jurassic Park, The Hunt for Red October and numerous film and television projects spanning more than five decades.
