Jurassic Park star Sam Neill died from pneumonia, agent says

Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders star Sam Neill died from pneumonia after beating cancer, his agent said.

The family of the New Zealand actor announced his "sudden and unexpected" death at a Sydney hospital on Monday aged 78, prompting tributes to flood in from around the world.

Neill, who was best known for his starring roles in the dinosaur franchise and The Piano but appeared in more than 50 films during his career, had been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2022.

After taking a short break from his acting career, which saw him become one of New Zealand's most successful Hollywood exports, Neill announced in April that he was cancer-free.

His agent Philip Grenz said he was sharing the cause of death with the permission of Neill's family and following reports "which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods".

"Sam passed away from pneumonia," Mr Grenz said on Thursday.

"Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy."

CAR-T therapy is a form of immunotherapy based on an individual's T cells and is used for several types of blood cancer.

He said Neill had filmed four projects "back-to-back" during the past year that are due to be released in the coming months.

"As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honour him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand at a still-undetermined later date," he said.

Neill, who was born in Northern Ireland, has been celebrated as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation, who traversed Hollywood blockbusters and art house dramas.

Since his death was announced, tributes have continued to flow for the actor, from prime ministers to film industry giants.

Steven Spielberg, who directed the first two Jurassic Park films, said: "Sam was exceptionally collaborative".

"I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him.

"Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world."

In her tribute, Dern said: "Sam was my beloved lifetime friend… He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love, always with the driest of wit. He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr Alan Grant."

Goldblum said: "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever."

Filmmaker Taika Waititi, who directed Neill in one of his best-loved New Zealand films Hunt For The Wilderpeople, penned an Instagram tribute on Wednesday.

"So long, my dear friend. You are so loved and will be sorely missed by us all," he said.

"Even though you didn't even remember it, I still think your best work is when you explain space travel by poking a pen through a piece of paper in Event Horizon (also the awesome eyes bit), and playing the antichrist, Damien Thorn, in Omen 3. I'm not sure what other roles you did, but whatever."

He added "Love you and see you soon, sweet Nigel", in a reference to Neill's birth name, which he said he had changed to Sam at school because there were too many Nigels in his class.

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Neill was one of a raft of actors and directors who achieved international fame after an explosion of Australian films that began in the late 1970s.

Following breakthrough roles in low-budget 1977 New Zealand film Sleeping Dogs and the 1979 Australian film My Brilliant Career, he went on to find blockbuster fame in 1993 hit Jurassic Park, as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant.

In more recent years, Neill won acclaim for his portrayal of the ruthless and corrupt senior police officer Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders.

Neill, who was married twice, divided his later years between Australia and his vineyard in New Zealand's Central Otago, which produced wine under the label Two Paddocks.

He is survived by his two sons and two daughters.

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