Actor Sam Neill dies from pneumonia
Actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia and will be honored at a private family memorial at his New Zealand farm later, his agent told The Associated Press on Thursday, reports BritPanorama.
Neill’s family had earlier announced that the actor, known for films such as “Jurassic Park” and “The Piano,” passed away Monday in Sydney.
His agent Philip Grenz noted he was providing more information after speaking with Neill’s family, addressing news reports “which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods,” he stated.
“Sam passed away from pneumonia,” Grenz confirmed. “Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy.”
Grenz added that Neill had recently filmed four projects “back-to-back” that are due to be released in the coming months.
“As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honor him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand at a still-undetermined later date,” Grenz said.
The New Zealand actor disclosed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, later stating in April this year that he was cancer-free. CAR-T therapy is a form of immunotherapy that utilizes the patient’s own T cells and is effective for several types of blood cancer.
His agent’s statement followed days of tributes from colleagues in the film industry, who remembered Neill as a kind and witty individual.
Director Taika Waititi, who directed Neill in the 2016 film “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” wrote on Instagram, “You are so loved and will be sorely missed by us all.”
“Love you and see you soon, sweet Nigel,” he added, referring to Neill’s birth name, which he changed to Sam at school due to an abundance of Nigels in his class.
“Sam was exceptionally collaborative,” said director Steven Spielberg, who worked with him on the first “Jurassic Park” film. “I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him.” Spielberg emphasized that along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, their “Jurassic family” would never forget him.
Neill gained international fame during the boom of Australian films that emerged in the late 1970s. In New Zealand, he is celebrated as a warm and humble person who avoided the limelight, actively contributing to local causes and community projects.
Beyond acting, Neill was also known as a vintner, producing pinot noir and riesling wines under his Two Paddocks label from his winery in Central Otago, New Zealand.
He is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.
