Acclaimed actor Sam Neill has died, aged 78, surrounded by family in Sydney. Neill’s death was sudden and unexpected after he was declared cancer free following an illness. “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing,” the family said in a social media post on Monday. “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.”