Actor Sam Neill dies at 78 in Sydney

Actor Sam Neill has died at the age of 78. His family announced his passing on Monday in Sydney, Australia, marking the loss of one of New Zealand's most recognised international screen figures.

In a statement released via his official Instagram account, Neill's family described his death as "sudden and unexpected." While a specific cause of death was not disclosed, the statement confirmed that the actor remained cancer-free at the time of his passing.

Neill had spoken candidly in recent years regarding his medical history. After being diagnosed with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in 2022, he chronicled his diagnosis and subsequent medical treatments in his 2023 memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?.

Just months prior to his death, in April 2026, Neill publicly announced he was in remission following a course of CAR T-cell therapy. At the time, he expressed optimism about his health and his career, stating his intention to return to set and "do another movie."

Recognised globally for his role as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, as well as a celebrated performance in The Piano, Neill maintained a steady working schedule into his later years. His final public appearance took place in June 2026 at the Sydney Film Festival, where he participated in a Q&A in support of his recent film, The Fox.