Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders, died on Monday in Sydney, Australia. He was 78.
His family confirmed the news in a statement posted to Neill’s Instagram page. “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing,” the statement read, using the Māori word for extended family or community.
“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free,” the family said. Neill had previously fought a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer, and in April announced he had been given the all clear.
“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterized his whole life,” the statement continued. The family thanked staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney for their care.
The family asked the public to respect their privacy while they grieve, saying further details would be shared in due course.
