'Jurassic family': Spielberg leads outpouring of tributes for actor Sam Neill

Actor Sam Neill is being remembered by Hollywood greats and prominent figures as a "legend" and a "deeply soulful and beautiful man" following news of his sudden death yesterday at the age of 78.

Neill, who is best known for his roles in hit blockbusters such as Jurassic Park and The Piano and for appearances in TV series such as Peaky Blinders, spent much of his time in more recent years on his farm in New Zealand.

He is also being remembered for his contributions to Australia and New Zealand's arts scenes, and for his "completely down-to-earth" attitude away from the camera.

The New Zealand actor had announced earlier this year that he was in remission following a battle with blood cancer, and his family said in a statement that his death was "sudden and unexpected" but that he remained cancer-free.

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who directed Jurassic Park, led Hollywood tributes to the New Zealand actor, describing Neill as "exceptionally collaborative" in portraying Dr Alan Grant, a character fundamentally at odds with who he was in real life.

"It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children," Mr Spielberg said.

"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."

Jurassic Park co-star Laura Dern also paid tribute to her "beloved lifetime friend".

"He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit," she said in a statement provided to the ABC.

"He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr Alan Grant."

Pop star Kylie Minogue posted on Instagram "Vale Sam", while Australian actress Nicole Kidman, who co-starred with Neill in 1989 film Dead Calm, said in a statement to US media outlets that "Sam was one of the greats".

"We met when I was just 18, and he took me under his wing, and we stayed friends for life. He was charming, kind, funny and intelligent. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family," she said.

'You are always in our hearts'

Those sentiments were shared by Australian music legend Jimmy Barnes, who said he "can't believe we will no longer be eating great food together and sharing the odd glass of wine down at his winery, while laughing, singing and solving the problems of the world together".

"Sam was a big part of our lives. He was family. He lifted our spirits when he walked into the room. Sam was everything he appeared to be on the screen.

"He sat with me while I recovered in hospital, and I sat with him when he needed me. We shared a lot in this life, and for that, I will always be thankful.

"Rest easy, dear Sam. You are always in our hearts."

Richard E Grant, who shared a three-decade friendship with Neill and starred alongside him in Australian comedy-drama Palm Beach, said the actor "guided and helped me through a difficult time in my life" and described him as "an officer and a gentleman in the truest sense".

Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who starred alongside Neill in Peaky Blinders, said he "admired him and adored him in equal measure".

"He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors … RIP," he said in a statement.

Australian actress Magda Szubanski, whose cancer is also in remission after a high-profile battle with the illness, said she was "absolutely devastated" by the news.

"Darling Sam. I really don't have any words right now. I'm in complete shock. Last time we spoke, he was going so well."

Australian actress Toni Collette said: "I love you, dear Sam. You hero. You legend. You sweetheart. Our great friend. You are already missed so very much. Continue in peace wherever you are."

Australian arts community mourns 'a real friend'

The ABC's global affairs editor, Laura Tingle, who was in a relationship with Neill for three years until 2021, posted on Instagram a slide show of images of them together with the caption: "Sweet Dreams darling Sam".

Australian Story host Leigh Sales also paid tribute, reflecting on his interview for ABC series The Assembly and describing him as a "real friend of the ABC and the Australian arts sector generally".

"He gave people that sense, that he was someone that you knew — he was like a trusted friend," she said.

"In real life, there was no difference to the way Sam Neill presented on his socials to the way he was when you did encounter him."

Australian comedian Charlie Pickering, who first met Neill when the Hollywood star agreed to appear on the debut episode of his long-running comedy series The Weekly, said he was "the most down-to-earth megastar I'd ever met".

"As a result of the interview, he named his favourite duck after me — so he had Charlie Pickering the duck. He would often send me videos of what Charlie Pickering the duck was up to," he said.

"To talk to him was like talking to a bloke that lived across the fence from you — completely normal, completely down-to-earth and like so many New Zealanders, eminently sensible."

Australian Film Critics Association Adam Ross said Neill was one of the "personable and likeable" stars in the history of cinema.

He cited Jurassic Park, Dead Calm and Event Horizon as some of Neill's most notable silver screen roles.

"Born in [Northern] Ireland, raised in New Zealand, claimed as our own — it turns out everyone wanted a piece of Sam," he said.

"It's not an accident, his success. An extraordinarily versatile performer, but when he did the thing he did, which is be a sensible and relatable person, you couldn't take your eyes off him.

'Much mourned and long remembered'

Reaction has also come from political leaders on both sides of the Tasman.

In his home country, New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Neill was "one of our greatest cultural exports" and "one of the greats".

"He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of," Mr Luxon said.

"For more than 50 years, he took New Zealand stories to the world, and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today."

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had recently had the "profound joy" of talking to Neill, calling him "a thoughtful, curious and decent person".

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Neill fought cancer "with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance".

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

ABC/wires