Fellow actors and directors are mourning the death of Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor who passed away on Monday following a diagnosis of a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Neill gained widespread recognition for his role as paleontologist Alan Grant in the 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park." He starred alongside Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Richard Attenborough in the film, which was set on an island off the coast of Costa Rica where cloned dinosaurs had been housed in a theme park.
His career spanned decades and included an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of the title character in the 1998 miniseries "Merlin." He also received three Golden Globe nominations for his work in "Merlin," "One Against the Wind," and "Reilly: Ace of Spies." Neill also earned an Emmy nomination for narrating the 2017 documentary "Wild New Zealand."
Actors who worked with Neill shared tributes recalling his collaborative spirit and warmth. Steven Spielberg, who directed "Jurassic Park," remembered Neill as "exceptionally collaborative" and a "loving father." He added, "I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him. 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."
Nicole Kidman shared that Neill was a "lifetime friend" who embodied "loyalty, protectiveness, and love, always with the driest of wit." She added, "He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant."
Cillian Murphy described Neill as "one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors." He noted their shared professional history, stating, "He was one of the greats, a joy to be around."
Other notable tributes highlighted Neill's character and impact. Actor Sam Neill was a "deeply soulful and beautiful man" who was a "friend and collaborator at a challenging time," according to one statement. "His strength gave us all strength," the tribute continued, recalling his "tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters."
Reflecting on Neill's contributions to New Zealand's film industry, one statement said, "Sir Sam Neill was one of the greats. He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of. 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."
Australian actors also remembered Neill for his integral role in Australian storytelling. "Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts," one tribute stated. "Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance."