'Immeasurable loss': Actor Sam Neill dies at 78

In brief

Actor Sam Neill has died at age 78.

His family announced the news in a statement shared on social media.

New Zealand actor Sam Neill has died aged 78.

The Jurassic Park star's family announced the news on Instagram, saying he died on Monday in Sydney.

"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life," the statement said.

"The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free.

"They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.

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"More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss."

Neill announced he was being treated for stage-three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in his 2023 memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?

In late April this year, he announced he was cancer-free after undergoing trial treatment.

Responding to the news, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Neill had starred in "so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts".

"Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance," he said.

"He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace."

The actor's career spanned five decades, and included turns in The Piano, Thor: Love and Thunder, The Dish and Peter Rabbit. He also appeared in the popular British period drama series Peaky Blinders.

He was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park movies.

In 2022, he was knighted Sir Sam Neill.

Speaking to ABC's Australian Story about his cancer in 2023, Neill said he was "not remotely afraid" of death, but it would be "annoying" because he has more to do.

"It's out of my control. If you can't control it, don't get into it," he said of cancer.

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