‘Jurassic Park’ actor Sam Neill’s cause of death revealed

Hollywood actor Sam Neill died from pneumonia, his longtime agent has confirmed, following days of speculation surrounding the cause of the actor’s death. (ABC News)

Neill’s representative, Philip Grenz, said he issued the statement after consulting with the actor’s family to address inaccurate reports that emerged following the announcement of his death.

According to Grenz, the 78-year-old actor had successfully overcome angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma through CAR-T cell therapy before falling ill with pneumonia. He emphasized that Neill had beaten cancer prior to his final illness. (ABC News)

The actor’s family has decided to honor his wishes with a private memorial service at his farm in New Zealand at a later date. Grenz said Neill was a deeply private person who never sought public attention, and his family intends to celebrate his life in keeping with those wishes. (ABC News)

Despite his health challenges, Neill remained professionally active until shortly before his death. His agent revealed that he completed four film projects over the past year, all of which are expected to be released in the coming months. (ABC News)

Neill publicly revealed his lymphoma diagnosis in 2023 while promoting his memoir. Earlier this year, he announced that he was cancer-free after responding successfully to CAR-T therapy, an advanced immunotherapy that uses a patient’s own immune cells to fight certain blood cancers. (ABC News)

Tributes have continued to pour in from across the entertainment industry.

Director Taika Waititi paid tribute to Neill, remembering him with a heartfelt message that referred to the actor by his birth name, Nigel, a nickname known to close friends and family.

Meanwhile, Steven Spielberg, who directed Neill in Jurassic Park, praised the actor’s collaborative spirit and reflected on the lasting bond shared by the film’s cast. Spielberg said Neill would always remain part of the Jurassic Park family and would be remembered by millions of fans around the world. (euronews)

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Neill became one of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors, earning international acclaim for performances in Jurassic Park, The Piano, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Dead Calm, and numerous other film and television productions.

Away from the screen, he was also an accomplished winemaker, producing award-winning pinot noir and riesling wines through his Two Paddocks vineyard in New Zealand’s Central Otago region. (ABC News)

Neill is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren, with his family requesting privacy as they mourn his passing. (People.com)