New Zealand actor Sam Neill, celebrated for his roles in blockbuster films such as Jurassic Park and award-winning dramas like The Piano, died on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Sydney, Australia.
He was 78.
His family announced the news via a statement on his official Instagram account, as reported by The Guardian.
No specific cause of death was given, but Neill had been treated for stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma since 2022.
“It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia.
Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” the family wrote.
They noted that his death was sudden and unexpected, but he had remained free of cancer.
“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free,” the statement continued, thanking the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their care.
The family requested privacy and said further details would be released later.
Tributes and Legacy
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute on social media, writing: “Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts.
Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.”
Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Northern Ireland in 1947, he moved to New Zealand in 1954 and adopted the name Sam during school.
“I found I moved more easily in the world as a Sam. Nigel is an awkward fit in most circumstances,” he once said.
After studying law at Canterbury University, Neill turned to theater and landed his breakout film role in Sleeping Dogs (1977).
His career included acclaimed performances in My Brilliant Career, The Hunt for Red October, The Piano, and his iconic role as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park.
In a 2023 interview, Neill reflected on his health and mortality: “I’m not afraid to die, but it would annoy me.
Because I’d really like another decade or two, you know?” He also spoke about his desire to see his grandchildren grow and his reluctance to retire.
Neill was knighted in 2022 for services to acting. He also owned a winery, Two Paddocks, in Central Otago.
He is survived by his four children and six grandchildren.
