Posted on 07/13/2026 4:58:35 AM PDT by Rummyfan
New Zealand actor built career as dashing romantic leads and charismatic villains across film and television
Sam Neill, the versatile New Zealand actor whose career spanned Oscar winners and blockbusters such as The Piano and Jurassic Park, has died aged 78.
The actor’s death was announced on Monday in a statement shared on his Instagram account. No cause of death was given, but Neill had only recently revealed he was cancer-free after being diagnosed with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 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 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
sad. He will be missed
I wonder if he ever got to see Montana?
RIP
I recently binged Peaky Blinders. His role was as good as anything he ever did IMO.
RIP sir. Thank you for your talents. 🙏
🎶”Yippee-yi-yo-ty-yeaaahhh!!!”🎶
He was one of those actors who was great in every role. But I would never realize it was him until the credits rolled. RIP
He was consistently great
Hunt for Red October? I couldn’t remember who he was until you posted that....Was he the one who wanted to go to MT and raise cattle?
Why didn’t I just read one more post???? THAT’S who I thought it was....Thanks.
Hunt for Red October? I couldn’t remember who he was until you posted that....Was he the one who wanted to go to MT and raise cattle?
He wanted to raise rabbits and have a pickup truck...Great actor.
I agree. I liked him in pretty much everything I saw him in. He was an actor who could draw me to a movie or TV show simply because he was in it. Omen III was the first movie I saw him in and it decent only because he was in it. He was good in A Cry in the Dark (of “The dingo ate my baby” fame). Great in the Piano and The Hunt for Red October. He was good as Cardinal Wolsey in the Tudors. I knew he had cancer and suspected his time was short. Rest in peace, Sam.
He was great in anything. I especially liked him in In the Mouth of Madness. Rest in peace, sir.
Reilly, Ace of Spies
“Mr. Hammond, after careful consideration, I’ve decided NOT to endorse your park!”
Or the fat American woman.
His best role. The true story about the man on whoch Ian Flemming based the fictional James Bond charactor.
bttt
But, will he do the Haka?
“”He wanted to raise rabbits and have a pickup truck...Great actor.””
That’s right - I remembered he wanted to go to MT but botched the rest...that’s a long time ago and a great, great movie...
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