Jurassic Park Star Sam Neill Dies From Pneumonia, Leaving Four Unreleased Projects

Two days after the death of New Zealand actor Sam Neill at age 78, his manager Philip Gratz revealed that the cause was pneumonia. Neill, best known for his iconic role as Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's 1993 film Jurassic Park and its sequels, had battled cancer in recent years but was declared cancer-free before his passing. In 2022, he was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called angioimmunoblastic lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy and CAR-T therapy, which successfully eradicated the disease.

Despite his health struggles, Neill continued working until shortly before his death, completing four projects that have yet to be released. His family described his passing as sudden and unexpected, surrounded by loved ones, and requested privacy during this difficult time. They plan to hold a private memorial at his New Zealand farm. Neill was known as a very private person who disliked public fuss.

The family also asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to charities supporting hospitals or wildlife conservation in New Zealand, causes close to Neill's heart. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Neill appeared in numerous acclaimed films and series including The Piano and Peaky Blinders, leaving a significant cinematic legacy.