Actor Sam Neill, known for his roles in "Jurassic Park" and "Peaky Blinders," died Monday at the age of 78, his family announced. The death was described as "sudden and unexpected," though Neill had recently announced he was cancer-free after battling stage-three blood cancer. His family stated he was "surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."

Neill was a father of four and a grandfather of eight. He had spoken openly about his family life, including a unique reunion with his eldest son, Andrew, whom he placed for adoption in 1969. At the time, in his early twenties, Neill felt incapable of fatherhood, but his perspective evolved over time, leading to their reconnection in 1994 after a 25-year separation. "You're more capable than you think," Neill reflected on his younger self in a 2014 interview. "If I could give my 20-year-old self any piece of advice, it would be that."

By the time of his reunion with Andrew, Neill had three other children. He welcomed son Tim in 1983 with his first wife, Lisa Harrow. He married makeup artist Noriko Watanabe in 1989, and they had daughter Elena in 1991. Neill also adopted Watanabe's daughter, Maiko. He and Watanabe separated in 2017.

Neill had publicly shared his cancer diagnosis in 2023, having been diagnosed the previous year. He underwent a costly CAR T-cell therapy treatment after traditional chemotherapy became ineffective. In April, he announced that tests had confirmed he was cancer-free. "I've just had a scan just now and there is no cancer in body, that's an extraordinary thing," he said at the time. He had expressed a desire to live to see his gardens mature and his grandchildren grow.

His son Tim had previously described Neill as a good father and grandfather. "There are worse things a dad can do than be off working," Tim said. "He is a good dad. He's a very good dad. He's grandad. Grad, as we call him."

The family released a statement expressing their gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney, Australia, for their care and requested privacy as they navigate their loss.