Sam Neill’s representative has clarified the cause of the actor’s sudden death, while also stressing one important detail about his recent cancer battle.
People reported that Neill died of pneumonia on July 13 at age 78. Page Six also reported that his representative confirmed the cause of death after the actor’s family had initially described his passing as “sudden and unexpected.”
Neill had been open in recent years about his treatment for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer.
His Death Was Not From Cancer
View this post on Instagram
Neill’s longtime representative, Philip Grenz, said the actor died from pneumonia. Grenz also said Neill had “valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma” through CAR-T cell therapy before becoming sick.
Neill’s family said he remained cancer-free at the time of his death, even though his public health history naturally led many fans to connect the news to his earlier diagnosis.
Neill had spoken openly about being diagnosed with stage-three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2022. After chemotherapy stopped working, he received CAR-T cell therapy in Australia and later said scans showed no sign of cancer.
A Private Memorial Will Be Held in New Zealand
Neill’s representative said a private family memorial will be held later at his New Zealand farm. The family has also asked for privacy as they grieve.
Instead of flowers, Neill’s family suggested donations to causes he supported, including the Dunstan Hospital Foundation, The Snowdome Foundation, NZ Nature Fund and Sustainable Tarras.
Neill Had Recently Finished Several Projects
According to People, Neill had filmed four projects back-to-back in the past year while also continuing to run his New Zealand winery, Two Paddocks.
The actor had also spoken in the past about how much he disliked the idea of retirement. Work, family, animals, wine and his farm all remained central to the way he talked about life after his diagnosis.
His Career Reached Far Beyond Jurassic Park
Neill will always be closely tied to Dr. Alan Grant, the paleontologist he played in Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion. But his career stretched across more than five decades and more than 150 screen credits.
He also starred in films including The Piano, The Hunt for Red October, Dead Calm, My Brilliant Career and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. On television, he appeared in projects such as Peaky Blinders, The Tudors and Reilly, Ace of Spies.