Sam Neill, 'Jurassic Park' actor, dies at 78

Key Points:

• Actor Sam Neill, famous for his role as Dr. Alan Grant in the "Jurassic Park" series and a versatile career spanning indie films, horror, and television, died at age 78 in Sydney, Australia.
• Neill had been living with stage III angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare aggressive cancer, but announced remission in April due to CAR T-cell therapy; his death was sudden and unexpected despite being cancer-free at the time.
• Born in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand, Neill appeared in over 150 productions, earning honors including a knighthood in New Zealand and Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
• Tributes from colleagues highlighted his kindness, humor, and gentlemanly nature, with notable figures like Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman, and Cillian Murphy praising his talent and character.
• Neill is survived by four children and eight grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy as one of New Zealand’s greatest cultural exports and a beloved figure in global cinema.