The world of cinema has lost one of its most enduring stars. Sir Sam Neill, best known for his unforgettable role as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, has died at the age of 78. The veteran New Zealand actor passed away in Sydney on Monday, surrounded by his family, according to a statement shared on his official Instagram account. While no cause of death was disclosed, Neill had recently revealed that he was cancer-free after battling stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer diagnosed in 2022.

Sam Neill passes away at the age of 78

Following news of his passing, heartfelt tributes flooded social media from across the world. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed him as one of the country's greatest talents, crediting him with helping shape New Zealand's film industry into a globally respected force. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remembered Neill for his warmth, wit and resilience, while filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, actor David Wenham and author Kathy Lette also honoured the late star's legacy.