Jurassic Park Star Sam Neill Dies at 78 After Battling Cancer

Sam Neill, the beloved star of the Jurassic Park film series, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 78. His representative, Philip Grants, revealed that Neill had been bravely fighting stage 3 Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a form of lymphoma, and had achieved remission through a new CAR-T cell therapy. However, Neill ultimately died from pneumonia. Neill was surrounded by family at the time of his death in Sydney, Australia.

Neill was known for his private nature, and his family plans to hold a private memorial service at his farm in New Zealand at a later date. Grants expressed gratitude to those who respected Neill's and his family's privacy during this difficult time. The actor's family had previously announced on Instagram that his death was sudden and unexpected but took comfort in the fact that he had remained cancer-free before his passing.

Neill had shared news of his remission from blood cancer as recently as April 2026. His decades-long career in film and television made him an iconic figure, especially for his role in the Jurassic Park franchise. Tributes from colleagues, including Bryce Dallas Howard, highlighted his passion for life and generosity. Neill's death marks the loss of one of cinema's most cherished actors.