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.
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He is survived by his four children and six grandchildren.
