Sam Neill's Agent Confirms Actor Died of Pneumonia, Not Cancer

Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for his role in "Jurassic Park," passed away on Monday at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney at the age of 78, surrounded by family. His longtime agent, Philip Granz, clarified on Thursday that Neill died from pneumonia, addressing and correcting various inaccurate reports that had circulated since the actor's death.

Neill had been diagnosed in 2022 with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer, but successfully overcame the disease after receiving CAR-T cell therapy. In April, Neill announced that his tests showed no signs of cancer. Granz emphasized that Neill was cancer-free at the time of his passing and remained active, filming four productions in the past year and managing his vineyard.

The family plans to hold a private memorial service at Neill's farm in New Zealand, honoring his wish for a low-key farewell. Since the announcement of his death, numerous tributes have poured in from actors, directors, and fans, commemorating a career spanning over five decades with notable roles in "Jurassic Park," "The Piano," "The Hunt for Red October," and "Birmingham Band."