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Sam Neill had pneumonia before his death, co-star says, as tributes pour in
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Acclaimed New Zealand actor Sam Neill died suddenly at age 78; he had recently been declared cancer-free after battling stage-three non-Hodgkin lymphoma but was reportedly suffering from pneumonia before his death.
- Neill's family confirmed his passing was unexpected and expressed relief that he remained cancer-free, though the exact cause of death was not specified.
- Tributes from co-stars and friends, including Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Steven Spielberg, Cillian Murphy, and Nicole Kidman, praised Neill's talent, kindness, and enduring legacy in film and television.
- Journalist Laura Tingle noted Neill's weakened immune system following extensive cancer treatments likely contributed to his declining health in recent weeks.
- Born in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand, Neill had a prolific career with over 150 screen credits and was knighted in New Zealand in 2022 for his contributions to the arts.
