The family of Sam Neill have announced his sudden and unexpected passing, at the age of 78. More on the news here. Ah, this is absolutely rubbish. Actor Sam Neill has passed away at the age of 78, itโs been announced. A statement was issued by his family, and their words are as follows: It ... Awful news: Sam Neill dies, at the age of 78
The family of Sam Neill have announced his sudden and unexpected passing, at the age of 78. More on the news here.
Ah, this is absolutely rubbish. Actor Sam Neill has passed away at the age of 78, itโs been announced.
A statement was issued by his family, and their words are as follows:
It is with immense sadness that the whฤnau [the extended family] 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.
“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 had been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer just over four years ago, and was undergoing monthly chemotherapy to keep on top of it. Yet the noises were positive, and heโd been keeping busy: heโs filmed roles in two movies set for next year for a start, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and The Last Resort.
He came to prominence for many, of course, in 1993โs Jurassic Park, reprising the role of Alan Grant in a couple of sequels. Yet the body of work that heโs left behind on screen is immense and broad. The Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Event Horizon, The Piano, the TV series Merlin, the wonderful The Dish, standing toe-to-toe with Sean Connery in The Hunt For Red October, or what about Roger Donaldsonโs action thriller Sleeping Dogs? As a Midlander, his pivotal role in the first two series of Peaky Blinders canโt go unmentioned either.
What comes across is that Neill was as fond as a genre production as most of us, and could stand tall in hugely acclaimed fare as well. What always came across in interviews, and in his terrific memoir, is a grounded and down to earth man, and already the tributes flowing in his direction are warm ones. Rightly so, as well.
As always, thoughts are very much with affected friends and family. As a film fan whose shelves are not shy of movies featuring Sam Neill, itโs a different kind of loss of course. But a loss all the same.
Thanks for everything, Sam Neill. Rest in peace. Thanks for protecting us from the dinosaurs.
