About
Sam Neill, born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand, became a major figure in international cinema. Revealed by Sleeping Dogs (1977) and My Brilliant Career (1979), he made a mark in Jurassic Park (1993) and The Piano (1993). His career of over five decades includes roles in films like Dead Calm, Event Horizon, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, as well as series like Peaky Blinders. Knighted in 2022, he also cultivated vines at his Two Paddocks estate. He died in 2026 from pneumonia.
* 1947-09-14 — † 2026-07-13
Major works
- Jurassic Park (1993)film
- The Piano (1993)film
- Dead Calm (1989)film
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)film
- Peaky Blinders (2013)TV series
Key milestones
- 1991Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
- 2022Appointed Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM), becoming Sir Sam Neill.
- 2026Died on 13 July in Sydney, Australia, from pneumonia.
Themes
Science fictionDramaThrillerAdventureTelevision
Sources: bbc.co.uk · reuters.com · theguardian.com