Actor Sam Neill, who died at age 78, spoke candidly about his renewed appreciation for food following five years of chemotherapy in a final interview conducted in April. The announcement of his death on Monday described it as sudden and unexpected, coming just months after he had shared that he was cancer-free.

In the interview with The Guardian, Neill expressed his eagerness to enjoy meals without restriction after completing his treatment. "When I left hospital, I was looking forward to going to some good restaurants," he recalled. "I said to my nurse: ‘What should I be eating?’ She said: ‘Sam, eat whatever you feel like.’"

He explained the impact of chemotherapy, noting that it prevented him from eating for two to three days afterward. "So now, I eat whatever I want," Neill stated. He also mentioned his enjoyment of growing his own fruit, detailing a breakfast that included stewed plums, apricots, and rhubarb from his garden.

Fondness for Villainous Roles

The actor also reflected on his inclination to play antagonists, finding it a "lot of fun" to portray characters different from his perceived real-life persona. He specifically highlighted his role as Major Campbell in "Peaky Blinders," appreciating the character's "sad dimension" and feeling a degree of sympathy for him. Neill contrasted this with his lack of sympathy for "other very influential bad guys in positions of power on the planet as we speak."

Health Journey

Neill revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with stage-three blood cancer the previous year, having initially noticed swollen glands. He had previously told Australian Story that he was not afraid of dying but would be "annoyed" by unfinished plans and desires, such as seeing his farm mature and his grandchildren grow.

In April, Neill announced his remission, detailing in an interview with Channel Seven how chemotherapy had ceased to be effective, bringing him close to death. He underwent CAR T-cell therapy, a specialized treatment that genetically modifies a patient's T-cells to target cancer cells. This private treatment reportedly cost around $AUD540,000. "I've just had a scan just now and there is no cancer in my body, that's an extraordinary thing. I'm very, very excited that this can happen," he said at the time.

His family announced his passing on July 13th, stating he was surrounded by family in Sydney and died with dignity. The family expressed gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital and requested privacy during their time of grief.