Arabic version: العائلة تعلن الوفاة المفاجئة للسير سام نيل

Sir Sam Neill, the New Zealand-born actor best known for his role as Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park films, has died aged 78, his family announced.

According to SBS News, the family’s statement posted on Instagram said Neill died on Monday in Sydney. “Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” the statement said. The family described the loss as “sudden and unexpected” and added that Neill “remained cancer free.” They also expressed gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their care.

Neill’s death draws attention because of his long public career: it spanned five decades and included roles in films such as The Piano, The Dish, Thor: Love and Thunder and Peter Rabbit, plus appearances in the British period drama Peaky Blinders. He was perhaps best known for portraying Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park movies and was knighted Sir Sam Neill in 2022. Those facts explain why his passing has prompted widespread responses from colleagues and public figures.

Political and industry figures responded to the news. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Neill had “starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts,” adding that Neill “fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.” Actors Magda Szubanski and Richard E. Grant shared personal tributes on social media; Szubanski said she was “absolutely devastated,” while Grant described Neill as “an officer and a gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my life.” Neill himself had spoken publicly about his illness in 2023, revealing he had been treated for stage-three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and later announcing he was cancer-free after trial treatment when chemotherapy stopped working.

What happens next: the family said “more details will be shared later” and asked for privacy while they navigate this loss. For now, they have thanked hospital staff and requested space as they make further arrangements.

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