Sam Neill has died at age 78

Sam Neill in Rams Photo: Signature Entertainment

Jurassic Park star Sam Neill has died at the age of 78. The New Zealand star, whose memorable films included Oscar-winner The Piano and The Hunt For The Wilderpeople, died unexpectedly, his family said.

Posting to the star's Instagram account, his loved ones, referencing the Maori word "whānau" which means "extended family" and can encompass generations, wrote: "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 loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.

Sam Neill in The Daughter

"More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss."

Neill had previous had treatment for a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer but revealed in April he was cancer free.

Neill, who was born in Northern Ireland and moved to New Zealand at the age of seven, also starred in Peaky Blinders, with other film roles including Thor: Ragnarok, The Daughter and Rams. During Covid lockdowns he set out to keep fans entertained by making films at home and sharing his love of animals, winning a legion of new fans. He spent much of his life fighting for environmental causes, and was campaigning against a proposed new gold mine near Cromwell, New Zealand, in the year prior to his death.

Despite winning widespread praise for his performances, and particularly for his ability to bring sensitivity and intelligence to roles not originally designed that way, he was never formally trained and at times struggled with feelings of inadequacy. He spoke openly about his experiences of depression, helping to open up difficult conversations for others. Since his death was announced, fans and colleagues alike have been paying tribute to his kindness and generosity of spirit.