July 13, 2026 — 3:51pmSam Neill, the 78-year-old Northern Ireland-born, New Zealand-raised actor, documentarian and winemaker, has died, according to a post on his official social media channels.“It is with immense sadness that the whānau [extended family group] of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia,” the post announced.“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.”Neill, who was best known for his role as palaeontologist Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in March 2022. The rare and aggressive form of blood cancer has a poor prognosis, with fewer than half of those diagnosed living more than five years.However, it appears this was not the cause of Neill’s death, which occurred in St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney.“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free,” the post said, with Neill’s loved ones adding “they would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among those to poublicly mourn Neill’s passing.“Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “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.”MORE TO COMEFrom our partners