New Zealand actor Sam Neill dies at age 78, with multiple outlets citing statements attributed to his family and posted via the actor’s social media. He is known internationally for starring roles including “Jurassic Park,” where his character navigates the film’s dinosaurs, and “The Piano,” in which he plays Holly Hunter’s husband. Sources also highlight his wider career that spans art films and major studio productions, as well as television work such as “The Tudors.”
Several reports say Neill’s death was sudden and unexpected. At least two outlets note that Neill had been battling cancer and had announced in 2023 that he was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Other coverage says he later announced he was cancer-free after treatment for stage-three blood cancer. France 24 also reports that he had been cancer-free at the time of his death. Reports converge that he died in Sydney. None of the sources provide a specific cause of death.
