New Zealand actor Sam Neill has passed away suddenly at the age of 78. In a statement made on July 13, 2026, from Neill's social media account, it was noted that the loss was "sudden and unexpected," and it was expressed that the actor died "surrounded by family and with the dignity that characterized his life." The family requested that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.

Neill's family announced this loss with great sadness on July 13 in Sydney, Australia. The statement emphasized that Sam had lived a life free from cancer, making the loss even more poignant. The family extended their deep gratitude to the healthcare workers at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for the extraordinary care they provided.

Born in 1947 in Omagh, Northern Ireland, Neill began his career in the early 1970s under the stage name "Sam." He gained significant recognition with his role as Smith in the 1977 film "Sleeping Dogs." He later took on a romantic lead alongside Judy Davis in the Australian film "My Brilliant Career."

Neill gained international attention by portraying the Antichrist Damien Thorn in the third film of "The Omen" series. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, his career continued to rise rapidly; he earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role as "Sidney Reilly" and appeared in major projects like "The Hunt for Red October" and "Event Horizon." However, his most iconic role was as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the 1993 film "Jurassic Park." Neill reprised this role in 2001's "Jurassic Park III" and most recently in 2022's "Jurassic World Dominion."