Fellow actors and fans of after the New Zealand actor died Monday following a diagnosis of a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Neill achieved his highest level of fame in playing paleontologist Alan Grant, who is summoned to an island off Costa Rica where a theme park has been built to house herds of cloned dinosaurs. He co-starred alongside Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Richard Attenborough.
Neill earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in the title role of the 1998 miniseries 鈥淢erlin鈥� and another as narrator of 2017鈥檚 鈥淲ild New Zealand.鈥� Neill also earned three Golden Globe nods 鈥� for 鈥淢erlin,鈥� 鈥淥ne Against the Wind鈥� and 鈥淩eilly: Ace of Spies.鈥�
Some notable reactions:
Steven Spielberg
鈥淪am was exceptionally collaborative. It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children. I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him. Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world.鈥� 鈥� in a statement.
Laura Dern, actor
鈥淪am was my beloved lifetime friend鈥� He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness, and love, always with the driest of wit. He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.鈥� 鈥� .
Richard E. Grant, actor
鈥淜苍别飞 for 3 decades and finally worked with him on 鈥楶ALM BEACH鈥� in 2018. An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life 鈥� Sail on, kind Sir. 鈥� .
Cillian Murphy, actor
鈥淟ike everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure. He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors 鈥� RIP.鈥� 鈥� in a statement.
Nicole Kidman, actor
鈥淪am was one of the greats, a joy to be around,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e met when I was just 18 and he took me under his wing and we stayed friends for life. He was charming, kind, funny and intelligent. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family.鈥� 鈥� in a statement to the .
Billy Zane, actor
鈥淚鈥檓 deeply saddened by the untimely loss of my dear friend, . We first crossed paths years ago through our work, but what I came to treasure most was the man himself鈥攆unny, endlessly curious, wickedly intelligent, generous, and always able to make you feel at ease. … He carried himself with grace, humility, and a wonderfully mischievous sense of humor that made every conversation a pleasure. … Rest peacefully, Sam. You鈥檒l be missed more than words can say.鈥� 鈥� .
Colin Trevorrow, director
鈥淪am Neill was a deeply soulful and beautiful man. He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength. I鈥檒l remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It鈥檚 not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful.鈥� 鈥� .
Christopher Luxon, prime minister of New Zealand
鈥淪ir 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 鈥� one of our greatest cultural exports.鈥� 鈥� .
Jacinda Ardern, former prime minister of New Zealand
“It was just a few weeks ago that I had the profound joy of sitting with Sam Neill, talking about life, politics, and home. He was such a thoughtful, curious, and decent person. Someone who was principled, unafraid of speaking his mind, and willing to take up a fight when he saw injustice. … We鈥檝e lost another incredible kiwi, and I feel profoundly sad. All my aroha to his whanau and friends. And to you, Sam, you have our gratitude and admiration. Rest easy. Moe mai r膩” 鈥� .
Anthony Albanese, prime minister of Australia
鈥淪am 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 mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.鈥� 鈥� .
Laura Tingle, Australian journalist and Neill鈥檚 former partner
鈥淚 think Sam Neill was the greatest theatrical creation of little Nigel Neill, a little boy with a stutter who was sent off to boarding school at eight years of age and spent his life in flight ever after that and showing off to make friends in new places. And I think that the humanity of that is what made him so approachable and so loved by so many people who saw all his work in television and movies.鈥� 鈥� in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Sharon Lawrence, actor
鈥淢y condolences and appreciation for the immense joy and mastery Sam Neill brought our industry. Do yourself a favor and find 鈥楧EAN SPANLEY鈥� on a streamer- he鈥檚 wonderful and it will soothe someplace in your spirit that needs it now. 鈥� .
Joel Tobeck, actor
鈥淭his man made me feel like I could fly. Even when I was all over the place in his presence he made it ok. We loved to talk rugby. RIP my old mate. Sam Neill, a true gentleman.鈥� 鈥� .
Rachel Griffiths, actor
鈥淪uch a shock 鈥� loved by so many 鈥� I鈥檒l be cracking two paddocks tonight,鈥� referring to wine from the actor鈥檚 vineyard, .
Kylie Minogue, singer
鈥淰ale Sam,鈥� a Latin term for 鈥渇arewell鈥� that鈥檚 often used in Australia and New Zealand, .
Toni Collette, actor
鈥淚 love you, dear Sam. You hero. You legend. You sweetheart. Our great friend. You are already missed so very much. Continue in peace wherever you are.鈥� 鈥� .
Lesley-Ann Brandt, actor
鈥淪ending love and condolences to your family. A remarkable man and artist. NZ loses a giant and one of its greatest gifts.鈥� 鈥� .
Kate Mulvany, actor
鈥淚t was the greatest of honours to shout at Sam onscreen and to laugh ourselves silly offscreen. He was truly the most wondrous human. Not was. Still is. Will always be. Such is his incredible legacy of life, art, advocacy and love.鈥� 鈥� .
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