Sam Neill, the actor best known for playing Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, died unexpectedly on Monday in Sydney, Australia. He was 78. His family confirmed the news on social media.
"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 characterized his whole life," they wrote. "The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free."
The family also thanked the medical staff who cared for him. "They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care," the statement continued. "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 was born Sept. 14, 1947, in Northern Ireland and grew up in New Zealand. He was diagnosed with blood cancer in March 2022 but his family confirmed he was cancer-free at the time of his death. He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.
His career spanned decades and crossed nearly every genre. Beyond the three Jurassic Park films, including 2022's Jurassic World Dominion opposite Laura Dern, he appeared in Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, The Piano, and Event Horizon, among many others. On television, he was a fixture in The Tudors, Merlin, and Reilly, Ace of Spies. Over his career he received nominations for three Golden Globes and two Emmys, and won a Logie and an AACTA Award.
The Peaky Blinders team was among the first to respond publicly. Neill played Chester Campbell, a ruthless inspector, in the first two seasons of the BBC series. According to Deadline, producers posted a tribute to the show's seven million Instagram followers.
"We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died," the Peaky Blinders statement read. "Sam's portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages. A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny, and supremely entertaining to watch."
The statement added that Neill was instrumental to the show's early success. "Sam was one of the key forces that got Peaky Blinders off to a running start, for which we will be forever grateful. Our love and thoughts are with his family."
Fellow cast members also paid tribute. Joe Cole wrote: "Rest in peace big dog." Finn Cole added: "Rest easy, Sam."
Karl Urban, a fellow New Zealander and star of The Boys, called Neill "an inspiration" and a trailblazer. "A beautiful man. A national treasure who gave so much to New Zealand and to the world," Urban wrote on Instagram.
Colin Trevorrow, who directed Jurassic World, also posted a tribute. "Sam Neill was a deeply soulful and beautiful man. He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength," Trevorrow wrote. "I'll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It's not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful."
