In what became his final interview, Sam Neill answered readers’ questions with humour, honesty and reflection, covering his long acting career, personal life and health.

He spoke warmly about his lifelong love of dogs, recalling amusing stories about his rescue Staffy, Fire, and explained that his portrayal in Dean Spanley was inspired by years of observing canine behaviour rather than professional guidance.

Neill also paid tribute to Robin Williams, describing him as both endlessly entertaining and privately burdened by deep sadness during the filming of Bicentennial Man.

Reflecting on Jurassic Park, he praised the combination of practical animatronics and early CGI, fondly remembered the mechanical Tyrannosaurus rex and revealed that his famous gesture of removing his sunglasses was his own creative decision rather than Steven Spielberg’s.

He discussed enjoying villainous roles in productions such as The Piano and Peaky Blinders, while also sharing humorous anecdotes about naming farm animals after celebrities, including a cow called Helena Bonham Carter and a pig named Amy Adams.Neill explained why he abandoned his birth name, Nigel, as a child, joking that it would have hindered his acting career.

He reflected on his cancer diagnosis, saying that after years of chemotherapy he now eats whatever he enjoys, particularly fruit grown on his New Zealand farm.

He also admitted he would probably have accepted the role of James Bond if offered, although he believed life as a former Bond actor might have become restrictive.Discussing Event Horizon, he expressed regret that darker scenes were lost from the final cut.

Throughout the interview, Neill remained modest, insisting he had succeeded despite what he considered an ordinary appearance, and concluded by expressing hope that he would live long enough to enjoy the first vintage of his own organic chardonnay.