NI-born actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia
Jurassic Park star Sam Neill died from pneumonia, his long-time representative has confirmed.
The Northern Ireland-born New Zealand actor, best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the blockbuster franchise, died aged 78 in Sydney, Australia, on Monday.
His death came months after he announced he was cancer-free following treatment for the “ferocious” and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma he revealed three years earlier.
Philip Grenz, the actor’s agent, said in a statement: “Since Sam Neill’s passing, several stories have appeared in the media which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods.
“As Sam Neill’s longtime rep, I spoke with his family and wish to clarify some details for his fans.
“Sam passed away from pneumonia. Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy.”
He continued: “In addition to running his award-winning winery, Two Paddocks, Sam had filmed four projects back-to-back during the past year, all of which will be released within the coming months.
“As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honour him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand at a still-undetermined later date.”
At his home in New Zealand’s Central Otago region, Neill owned Two Paddocks, a farm and winery he established in 1993.
The property sat next door to that of his friend, ‘Sleeping Dogs’ director Roger Donaldson.
Mr Grenz added: “I’d like to thank those who were truly close to Sam for considering his privacy with the respect he earned and his loved ones need and deserve during this immeasurably difficult time.”
Announcing Neill’s death in a statement on Monday, his family said he died “surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life”.
They added: “The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free.”
Tributes poured in for the actor, who was also known for portraying the corrupt senior police officer Major Chester Campbell in the first two seasons of ‘Peaky Blinders’ opposite Cillian Murphy.
Born in Omagh to an English mother and New Zealand father, Neill first gained attention for his role in the 1977 thriller, ‘Sleeping Dogs’.
His breakthrough came in 1993’s ‘Jurassic Park’.