Actor Sam Neill, known for his role as Dr. Alan Grant in the "Jurassic Park" franchise, expressed in interviews prior to his death that he would be "annoyed" if he were to die, citing unfinished personal and professional goals. Neill passed away at age 78, his family announced on Monday.
In an interview with ABC's "Australian Story" in October 2023, Neill stated he wasn't "in any way frightened of dying" and that it "has never worried me from the beginning." He added, "I'd be annoyed because there are things I still want to do." He reiterated these sentiments in a March 2023 conversation with The Guardian, saying, "I'm not afraid to die... but it would annoy me... Because I'd really like another decade or two, you know?"
Neill, who was battling cancer at the time of these interviews, expressed a desire to live longer to enjoy his farm in New Zealand and to see his grandchildren grow up. Despite his battle, he maintained a relaxed perspective on mortality, stating he "couldn't care less" about dying.
His family's announcement of his death mentioned that he passed "with the dignity that has characterised his whole life." The statement also noted that his passing was "sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free." Neill had publicly shared his cancer diagnosis in his 2023 memoir, "Did I Ever Tell You This?" He revealed in April of the same year that he was cancer-free following treatment for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer. He had undergone chemotherapy and participated in a clinical trial for CAR-T therapy.
Neill's career spanned over five decades, amassing more than 150 acting credits. His iconic role as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" was reprised in "Jurassic Park III" (2001) and "Jurassic World: Dominion" (2022). He also had upcoming roles in the 2027 films "Godzilla X Kong: Supernova" and "The Last Resort."