His family said the acclaimed New Zealand performer died unexpectedly in Sydney after recovering from blood cancer.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Sam Neill, the versatile actor who became internationally known as paleontologist Alan Grant in “Jurassic Park,” died Monday in Sydney, his family announced. He was 78.
Neill’s death was sudden and unexpected, according to a statement posted on his social media account. His family said he was surrounded by relatives and remained cancer-free when he died. A cause of death was not released. Neill had disclosed in 2023 that he had been treated for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Neill built a career spanning more than five decades, moving between major Hollywood productions, independent films, television dramas and projects from Australia and New Zealand. He was best known to many audiences for playing Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster “Jurassic Park,” a role he later reprised in “Jurassic Park III” and “Jurassic World Dominion.”
Spielberg said in a statement that Neill would not be forgotten by the filmmakers, actors and millions of viewers connected to the dinosaur franchise. The director recalled working with Neill alongside Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum and described the group as a lasting “Jurassic” family.
Long before “Jurassic Park,” Neill had established himself as a major screen actor in Australia and New Zealand. He gained wider attention in Gillian Armstrong’s 1979 film “My Brilliant Career,” appearing opposite Judy Davis. He later starred with Nicole Kidman in the sea thriller “Dead Calm” and appeared with Meryl Streep in “Plenty” and “A Cry in the Dark.”
His range allowed him to move easily between drama, comedy, horror and historical productions. Neill played a harsh frontier husband in Jane Campion’s “The Piano,” a Soviet submarine officer in “The Hunt for Red October” and a troubled investigator in John Carpenter’s “In the Mouth of Madness.” His other film credits included “Event Horizon,” “Omen III: The Final Conflict” and “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.”
Neill also maintained a long television career. He played the title character in the 1998 miniseries “Merlin,” earning an Emmy nomination, and portrayed Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in “The Tudors.” Later roles included police official Chester Campbell in “Peaky Blinders,” Sheriff John Bell Tyson in “Invasion” and family patriarch Stan Delaney in the 2024 series “Apples Never Fall.”
Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Northern Ireland in 1947, he moved to New Zealand with his family when he was 7. He began using the name Sam while attending school and later studied at the University of Canterbury and Victoria University of Wellington. One of his early leading roles came in the 1977 New Zealand film “Sleeping Dogs.”
Neill became an important figure in the growth of the New Zealand film industry. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called him one of the country’s great performers and said Neill helped carry New Zealand stories to audiences around the world. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute, describing the actor as thoughtful, humorous and dignified.
Outside acting, Neill operated Two Paddocks, a winery in New Zealand’s Central Otago region. He often shared images of his vineyard, farm and animals on social media, where his dry humor and unassuming manner attracted a large following. His 2023 memoir, “Did I Ever Tell You This?,” reflected on his career, family and cancer treatment.
Neill received three Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nominations during his career. He was awarded a knighthood for his contribution to film, an honor approved by Queen Elizabeth II. His family said he is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.
Funeral or memorial arrangements had not been publicly announced as of Tuesday. His family thanked the Sydney hospital that cared for him and asked that Neill be remembered for the dignity, humor and generosity he showed throughout his life.
Author note: Last updated July 14, 2026.