Actor Sam Neill Dies at 78; Colleagues Celebrate Jurassic Park Legacy

New Zealand‑born actor Sam Neill died on 13 July 2026 at a private hospital in Sydney, Australia. His family announced the sudden, unexpected loss, noting he was cancer‑free and surrounded by family. Neill is survived by his sons Andrew and Tim and daughters Elena and Maiko, his former wife makeup artist Noriko Watanabe, and extended relatives.

Tributes poured in from co‑stars. Laura Dern posted an Instagram tribute, calling Neill a “beloved lifetime friend” and recalling his role as Dr. Alan Grant. Jeff Goldblum joined Dern in sharing stills from Jurassic Park, expressing admiration. Fellow actors, including Reese Witherspoon, also expressed condolences.

In the wake of his death, remarks from Neill’s 2023 memoir resurfaced. In the book, he described working with Australian actress Judy Davis as “awkward as hell,” recalling tension on the set of My Brilliant Career (1978) and a decades‑long silence between them. The comments returned to public attention alongside reports of his passing.