Richard E Grant issues heartbreaking statement following death of friend Sam Neill: ‘Guided me through a difficult time’
Actor Richard E Grant has paid a heartfelt tribute to Sam Neill after the celebrated New Zealand performer, best known for his role as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park films, died aged 78.
Mr Neill’s family confirmed the news on Monday, revealing he passed away at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney with loved ones by his side.
In a statement posted to the actor’s Instagram account, Mr Neill’s family described the loss as “sudden and unexpected” while noting that the actor had remained free of cancer at the time of his death.
“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” the family said.
The family has requested privacy as they mourn the Northern Ireland-born star.
Mr Grant led tributes to his late friend on Monday, sharing photographs on Instagram and describing Mr Neill as “an officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense.”
The pair had known each other for three decades before finally collaborating on the 2018 film Palm Beach.
Mr Grant, whose wife Joan died from cancer in 2021, spoke movingly of the support Mr Neill provided during that period. “Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life,” he wrote. “Sail on, kind Sir.”
Sam Neill died aged 78
| GETTYActor Alan Cumming also paid his respects, commenting on Mr Neill’s Instagram: “Ahhh Sam, what a glorious beautiful man. You are missed. Sorry to the family for your immense loss.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon honoured the actor who was born in Northern Ireland but raised in his country, acknowledging Mr Neill’s foundational role in establishing the nation’s cinema.
“He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of,” Mr Luxon said in a statement.
Richard E Grant
“His work will be watched and loved long after all of us,” Mr Luxon added.
Australian actress Rachel Griffiths, who appeared alongside Neill in two productions, thanked him on Instagram “for the characters chuckles and good company.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Neill’s contribution to his nation’s storytelling, writing on X that the actor had “earned a special place in Australian hearts.”
“Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance,” Mr Albanese said. “He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”
Sam Neill was best known for roles in Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders
Director Phillip Noyce, who worked with Mr Neill on the 1989 thriller Dead Calm alongside Nicole Kidman, described him as “perhaps the most gentlemanly actor I ever encountered.”
Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Noyce recalled Mr Neill as “level-headed and sincere in a show business world of crazy egos. His word was his contract.”
Mr Noyce also revealed that Neill played a pivotal role in launching his Hollywood career, vouching for him as the true director of Dead Calm when rumours circulated that George Miller had secretly helmed the picture.
Mr Neill’s career encompassed more than 150 productions across five decades, including The Hunt for Red October, The Piano, Event Horizon, Peaky Blinders and The Tudors.
He first disclosed his stage-three blood cancer diagnosis in 2023, having discovered the illness while promoting Jurassic World Dominion the previous year.
When chemotherapy ceased working, he underwent CAR T-cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment costing approximately $540,000 AUD.
In April, Mr Neill announced triumphantly that scans showed no cancer in his body, declaring his intention to return to filmmaking. “It’s time I did another movie,” he said.
