Acclaimed New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for his iconic role as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, died from pneumonia, his longtime agent has confirmed, bringing clarity to speculation surrounding the actor’s sudden death earlier this week.
Neill passed away on July 13 in Sydney at the age of 78. While his family had previously announced that the actor died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, they had not disclosed the cause of death at the time, requesting privacy as they mourned their loss.
In a statement issued after consulting with Neill’s family, longtime representative Philip Grenz said the actor died from pneumonia after recently overcoming a battle with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer. Grenz noted that Neill had successfully undergone CAR-T cell therapy and was considered cancer-free before falling ill.
“Sam passed away from pneumonia,” Grenz said, adding that he wanted to correct inaccurate reports circulating following the actor’s death. Despite his health challenges, Neill had remained professionally active, completing four film projects over the past year while also managing his award-winning New Zealand vineyard, Two Paddocks.
Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry, with filmmakers, actors and fans remembering Neill as one of cinema’s most respected and beloved performers. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, he starred in acclaimed films including Jurassic Park, The Piano, The Hunt for Red October and Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Neill’s family said a private memorial service will be held at his farm in New Zealand in accordance with his wishes. He is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.