The actor was New Zealand star Sam Neill, best known for playing Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise. He died in Sydney on July 13, 2026, at the age of 78, surrounded by his family. His relatives did not reveal the cause of death, saying only that the loss was sudden.
The news was especially painful for fans because Neill had recently announced that he had overcome a serious illness. In 2022, he was diagnosed with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer. When his previous therapy stopped working, the actor underwent experimental CAR T-cell treatment. In the spring of 2026, medical examinations reportedly found no signs of cancer.
Sam Neill gained worldwide fame after the release of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park in 1993. His character, Dr. Alan Grant, a reserved, intelligent, and courageous scientist, became one of the most recognizable heroes in adventure cinema. The actor later returned to the role in two more films in the franchise.
Neill’s career extended far beyond one famous character. He appeared in The Piano, The Hunt for Red October, Event Horizon, In the Mouth of Madness, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Television viewers also remember him as Major Chester Campbell in the series Peaky Blinders. In total, the actor created more than 150 roles in film and television.
Away from the film set, Sam Neill was involved in winemaking in New Zealand and loved spending time on his farm. He will be remembered not only as an international film star, but also as a man known for his subtle sense of humor, dignity, and inner strength.