Global tributes honour Jurassic Park star Sam Neill following his death

Tributes have poured in from around the world following the death of veteran New Zealand actor Sam Neill, who has passed away in Sydney aged 78.

Political leaders and fellow actors led the global mourning for the Jurassic Park star, whose family confirmed he died on Monday surrounded by loved ones.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Neill as "one of the finest actors of his generation," adding: "His wit, dignity and resilience touched audiences around the world. He will be much mourned and long remembered."

Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he 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.

He will be much…

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 13, 2026

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: "Sam Neill was one of the greats. For more than 50 years, he helped put New Zealand's film industry on the global stage. His legacy will live on through his extraordinary body of work."

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark also paid tribute, saying: "Sam Neill brought enormous pride to New Zealand through an exceptional international career."

Actress Teresa Palmer, who starred alongside Neill in Ride Like a Girl, remembered him as "one of the funniest, warmest and kindest people I've ever had the privilege of working with."

Sir Sam Neill was one of the greats.

He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of. For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest…

— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) July 13, 2026

Actress Magda Szubanski said she was "deeply shocked and saddened", describing Neill as a dear friend whose warmth, humour and generosity would never be forgotten.

Born Nigel John Dermot Neill on September 14, 1947, in Omagh, Northern Ireland, Neill moved to New Zealand at the age of seven. After studying English literature and beginning his career in theatre and film, he rose to become one of the country's most celebrated actors.

Neill first gained international recognition with Sleeping Dogs (1977) and My Brilliant Career (1979), before starring in acclaimed productions including Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, The Piano, Sirens, Event Horizon, The Horse Whisperer, Bicentennial Man, The Vow, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Peter Rabbit, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, Thor: Love and Thunder, and television series Peaky Blinders, The Tudors and Merlin.

However, he became a household name after portraying palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993), a role he reprised in Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion.

Away from the screen, Neill was also an accomplished winemaker and founder of the Two Paddocks vineyard in New Zealand's Central Otago region.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren and extended family, leaving behind a legacy that inspired generations of actors and film lovers around the world.