Sam Neill, the acclaimed actor best known for his role as Dr.Alan Grant in the 1993 blockbuster 'Jurassic Park,' has passed away at the age of 78.His family confirmed his death on July 13, 2026, stating it was sudden and unexpected.

Neill, who was born in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand, had been battling angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, for several years.He publicly announced his remission in April 2026, expressing gratitude for the medical team at St Vincent’s Private Hospital.

His career spanned over five decades, with notable roles in films like 'The Piano,' 'Event Horizon,' and 'The Tudors,' as well as television series such as 'Merlin.' Tributes poured in from colleagues, including Jeff Goldblum and Richard E.Grant, and public figures like New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who praised Neill’s contributions to the film industry.Neill is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.