Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill dies aged 78

Death of New Zealand histrion successful Sydney was ‘sudden and unexpected’, according to a household statement.

New Zealand histrion Sam Neill, known for the films “Jurassic Park” and “The Piano”, has died aged 78, his household said.

His decease successful Sydney was “sudden and unexpected”, according to a connection posted to the actor’s societal media leafage connected Monday.

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In 2023, Neill disclosed helium had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a uncommon benignant of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

His family’s connection said helium “remained crab free” erstwhile helium died and did not specify a origin of death.

Neill was a smooth, elegant and versatile histrion whose vocation moved from creation movie to blockbuster, arsenic helium dodged velociraptors successful “Jurassic Park” to playing Holly Hunter’s hubby successful “The Piano”.

He was 1 of a big of actors and directors who achieved planetary fame aft an detonation of Australian films that began successful the precocious 1970s, a database that includes Paul Hogan, Mel Gibson, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, Jane Campion, Peter Weir and Gillian Armstrong.

Sam Neill arrives astatine the premiere of ‘Apples Never Fall’ connected March 12, 2024, successful Los Angeles [File: Richard Shotwell/Invision via AP]

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed the histrion arsenic “one of the greats”.

“He started retired erstwhile determination was ⁠barely a movie ⁠industry successful this state to talk of. For much than 50 years helium took ‌New Zealand stories to the satellite and his talents helped marque ‌our ‌film manufacture into what it is contiguous – 1 of our top taste exports,” Luxon wrote successful a societal media post.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese besides paid tribute.

“Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam ‌fought unwellness with the aforesaid dignity, humour and condemnation that gave spot to his each performance. He volition beryllium overmuch mourned and agelong remembered. May helium remainder ⁠in peace,” helium wrote connected societal media.