Before his death at the age of 78, actor Sam Neill made a striking impression on those he worked with, who spoke with deep affection about the late actor the morning of his passing.
In a statement to Variety, Steven Spielberg wrote: “I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention and led to his playing Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. Sam 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.”
Via Discussing Film, Neill’s longtime Jurassic co-star Laura Dern said that “Sam was my beloved lifetime friend… He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit. A true and noble gentleman, who was wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.”
The Peaky Blinders Instagram account, on behalf of Cillian Murphy and the show’s other cast members, posted the following statement: “We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died. Sam’s portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages. A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny, and supremely entertaining to watch. Sam was one of the key forces that got Peaky Blinders off to a running start, for which we will be forever grateful. Our love and thoughts are with his family.”
Deadline also has a statement directly from Murphy: “Like 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. RIP.”
Said Toni Collette, “I 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 🤍”
Nicole Kidman told the Sydney Morning Herald that she was “immensely saddened” by the loss. “Sam was one of the greats, a joy to be around,” she said in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald. “We 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.”
Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow wrote on Instagram that “Sam 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’ll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It’s not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful.”
Richard E. Grant remembered Neill as “an officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life… Sail on, kind Sir.”
