In brief
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for Jurassic Park, died at 78 after months of battling pneumonia. The actor had previously fought non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma and was considered cancer‑free at his passing, according to family. Agent Philip Grenz clarified the death cause amid false media claims, confirming pneumonia as the official reason. Neill’s career spanned more than 150 screen credits and included roles in The Piano, Dead Calm and Peaky Blinders. Tributes from colleagues and global leaders praised his legacy.
Sam Neill, 78, Dies from Pneumonia
New Zealand actor Sam Neill – best known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders – died on Monday at a Sydney hospital after fighting pneumonia, an agent confirmed.
Neill, 78, had previously battled non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He announced a remission in April and was considered cancer‑free at his death, his family said.
Agent Philip Grenz explained that the media had circulated false claims about Neill’s health, prompting a statement to clarify that he had died of pneumonia.
Throughout his five‑decade career, Neill appeared in more than 150 films and series, including The Piano, Dead Calm and the drama Peaky Blinders. His final projects – a TV role in Netflix’s Untamed and a feature in The Fox – are set to be released posthumously.
Tributes poured in from colleagues, with Laura Dern calling him a “beloved lifetime friend” and Toni Collette describing him as a “hero, legend and sweetheart.” New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also honored the veteran actor.
