Actor Sam Neill passed away suddenly this week at the age of 78, leaving behind an estate valued between $25 million and $28 million. His assets include a substantial property portfolio and a prominent winery.
Neill's primary residence was his sprawling winery, Two Paddocks, located in the Central Otago region of New Zealand's South Island. He established the winery in 1993, and it quickly gained recognition for its Pinot Noir and high-quality Riesling. What began as a five-acre planting expanded over time to encompass four vineyard sites.
Neill also owned Redbank Farm, a property that housed a collection of animals, many humorously named after Hollywood celebrities.
In a 2008 interview, Neill acknowledged that the winery's growth was supported by his acting income. He described the vineyard as a business that required significant time and money, stating it was not highly economic but immensely satisfying. He also owned a home in Wellington, New Zealand.
In 2020, Neill sold his mansion in Double Bay, Sydney, for approximately $3.6 million. He had purchased the four-bedroom home in 1996 for $839,000 with his then-wife, Noriko Watanabe. The property featured open-plan living and dining areas opening onto an outdoor terrace, a large backyard, and an alfresco dining area.
Neill died on Monday at St. Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney. His family described his passing as "sudden and unexpected" in a statement on his Instagram page. The actor had previously been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer.
In April, Neill, best known for his role as Alan Grant in the