New Zealand actor Sam Neill has died at age 78. He was admitted to a hospital in Sydney on Monday and passed away from pneumonia.
The actor’s agent, Philip Grenz, confirmed the cause of death a week after Neill’s passing, citing medical reports. Grenz also noted that the family had previously described the death as sudden and unexpected.
In a 2023 memoir, Neill detailed his diagnosis of non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the CAR‑T therapy that delivered a remission. His family said he was cancer‑free at the time of his death.
Neill had been filming four projects back‑to‑back in 2025, all of which will be released in the coming months. Posthumous appearances in “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova” and “The Last Resort” will also reach audiences in 2027.
Tributes poured in from colleagues and fans. Famous co‑star Laura Dern called him a lifelong friend, while Australian actress Toni Collette described him as a hero and legend. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon honored him as “one of the greats.”
Neill’s private memorial will take place at his farm in New Zealand, to be held at a later date. The family wishes to honour his privacy during this difficult time.
Sam Neill’s career spanned more than five decades, with over 150 screen credits. He also authored a memoir and stated that he viewed life as an adventure—often dark, but enduring anyway.
