'Hero, legend, sweetheart': Tributes to Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill, who has died aged 78
In March 2023, he revealed he had been undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.He later said the disease was in remission but he would require monthly chemotherapy for the rest of his life.In April 2026, Neill said a scan showed no cancer in his body, and his family's statement on Monday said he "remained cancer free" at the time of his death.The statement thanked hospital staff and added: "More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss."In his tribute, Luxon said: "For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports."Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern wrote, external that Neill was "such a thoughtful, curious, and decent person"."We've lost another incredible kiwi, and I feel profoundly sad," she added.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute, external, writing on X that he "starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts".Laura Dern, who starred alongside Neill in Jurassic Park, described him as "my beloved lifetime friend". "He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit," she said in a statement to E! News."He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man," she added. "I will love you forever, Dr Alan Grant."Jurassic Park director Steven Spielberg told Variety that he "adored" making the franchise with Neill, who he described as "exceptionally collaborative". "Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our 'Jurassic' family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world," he said in his statement.Goldblum, who played Dr Ian Malcolm in the films, shared a photo of himself alongside Dern and Neill with the caption: "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever."Australian pop superstar Kylie Minogue responded to the announcement of Neill's death with "Vale [goodbye] Sam" alongside a broken heart emoji.British actor Richard E Grant wrote, external that he knew his fellow actor for three decades, saying Neill had "guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my life", and describing him as "an officer and a gentleman in the truest sense".Also paying tribute, Colin Trevorrow, external, who directed Neill in 2022's Jurassic World Dominion, described him as "a deeply soulful and beautiful man"."He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength," he said."I'll remember him for his tranquillity, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It's not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend." Joe Cole, external, Neill's co-star in Peaky Blinders, posted: "Rest in peace big dog."Daisy Ridley, external, who is set to star alongside Neill in the not-yet-released film The Last Resort, posted a picture of herself with Neill on her Instagram story alongside three broken heart emojis.Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Omagh, Northern Ireland, in 1947, he moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, with his family as a child.He adopted the name Sam at the age of 12 because there were several Nigels at his school.He began acting while studying at the University of Canterbury and made his film debut in 1971's The City of No. After a number of television and film roles in New Zealand, he gained wider recognition in the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs, one of the country's first films to achieve international distribution.He later mov
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