It was an unlikely match when laidback actor Sam Neill found love with hard-hitting political journalist Laura Tingle. But the New Zealand movie star and the Australian ABC global affairs editor had a magical three-year romance in the twilight period of Sam's long and illustrious life. On Monday, hours after news of Sam's death at the age of 78, Laura, 65, shared a heartbreaking tribute to the man she still called a friend. 'Sweet dreams, darling Sam,' Laura wrote in her caption on Instagram, alongside a carousel of unseen images and videos of the couple during their very private relationship. Set to the 2014 song Long Time Comin', from American blues-country singer John Hiatt, the collection of photos showed Sam and Laura cuddled up on a boat trip and enjoying beach dates. Laura also documented the more domestic moments in their union, with Sam abandoning all Hollywood pretence as he ironed his own laundry and cooked his own meals. Sam Neill found love with hard-hitting political journalist Laura Tingle. Pictured together On Monday, hours after news of Sam's death at the age of 78, Laura, 65, shared a heartbreaking tribute to the man she still called a friend 'Sweet dreams, darling Sam,' Laura wrote in her caption on Instagram, alongside a carousel of unseen images and videos of the couple during their very private relationshipDinner dates, road trips and visits to Sam's New Zealand winery were also depicted, as was his love of animals, as he was shown cuddling chickens, a cat and pet pig.Evenings at the theatre, overseas vacations and precious time with family were likewise documented. They played music together, with Sam on guitar and forever wearing a cheeky smile as he lived life to the fullest. The pair enjoyed a variety of social occasions, from eventful nights out on the town to a few quiet beers with fellow acting legend Bryan Brown. The ABC journalist and the Hollywood star had met through mutual friends and shared a romance between 2018 and 2021, before parting ways amicably. Sam was very private about his surprising relationship with the political correspondent, but once quipped that Laura was enjoying the spoils of his private vineyard. 'My guess is that I'm in it for the politics; she's in it for the wine,' he said. Neill confirmed the split in 2023. Set to the 2014 song Long Time Comin', from American blues-country singer John Hiatt, the collection of photos showed Sam at home and cooking meals Sam was seen enjoying a coffee date with his love He also sat down to read his beloved's book, called Follow The Leader The actor was shown to be a free spirit and forever smiling The ABC journalist and the Hollywood star had met through mutual friends and shared a romance between 2018 and 2021, before parting ways amicably Dinner dates, road trips and visits to Sam's New Zealand winery were also depicted, as was his love of animals, as he was shown cuddling chickens, a cat and pet pig Sam was very private about his surprising relationship with the political correspondent, but once quipped that Laura was enjoying the spoils of his private vineyard'I had three wonderful years with Laura Tingle, and I am so grateful for that,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald.'I am a solitary single man now, and I wonder if that's a personal failing or just bad luck. I am past my use-by date and would not marry again.'These days I'm lucky if I go on the odd date. That suits me well, but it's also a bit lonely. There were times last year that I could have done with a bit of companionship to see me through my blood-cancer treatment.'Sam said that writing his 2023 memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, had caused him to, 'reflect on how much gratitude I have for people like my mother, and the women who've been good to me. And some of that is not without regrets.'The New Zealand actor, who died on Monday at the age of 78 after a sudden illness, was first married to New Zealand actress Lisa Harrow in 1981. The couple's divorce was finalised by 1989, and that same year, Sam married his second wife, Japanese makeup artist Noriko Watanabe. The pair divorced in 2017.The New Zealand actor – who starred in blockbusters such as Jurassic Park and The Piano – died in hospital in Sydney on Monday.Family described his death as 'sudden and unexpected' in a statement published to his Instagram page.'It is with immense sadness that the whānau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13 July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,' they said. The pair enjoyed a variety of social occasions, from eventful nights out on the town to a few quiet beers with fellow acting legend Bryan Brown (left) 'My guess is that I'm in it for the politics; she's in it for the wine,' Sam said Neill confirmed the split in 2023 Laura also documented the more domestic moments in their union, with Sam abandoning all Hollywood pretence as he ironed his own laundry and cooked his own meals The couple lived a quiet, normal life together 'I had three wonderful years with Laura Tingle, and I am so grateful for that,' Sam said 'The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free. 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.' In April, Neill – who is best known for playing Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise – announced tests had found he was cancer-free.Neill first went public with his cancer battle in 2023, having been diagnosed the previous year after initially experiencing swollen glands.He found out about his stage-three blood cancer while he was promoting Jurassic World Dominion in 2022.In that film he reprised his role as Grant alongside original co-stars Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum alongside Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.He told Australian Story at the time: 'I'm not in any way frightened of dying. That doesn't worry me. It's never worried me from the beginning, but I would be annoyed.'I'd be annoyed because there are things I still want to do. Very irritating, dying. But I'm not afraid of it.' The pair cuddled up on a boat trip and enjoyed beach dates They went on overseas vacations together during their romance Boat trips were clearly a favourite of the pair Sam enjoyed having a singing session with his famous friends, including Jimmy Barnes The couple spent time at Sam's New Zealand winery Neill starred in three Jurassic Park films including the original in 1993, Jurassic Park III in 2001 and Jurassic World Dominion in 2022.He became a household name after playing palaeontologist Alan Grant in 1993's Jurassic Park alongside Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum.He would reprise the role in Jurassic Park III in 2001, and again in Jurassic World Dominion just four years ago.Neill recently worked on Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and The Last Resort, both of which are now set to be released posthumously in 2027.On the small screen, he appeared in episodes of The Simpsons, Peaky Blinders, The Tudors and The Twelve.One of Neill's best-known roles in Australia, his adopted home, was as the scientist 'Mitch' in historical comedy-drama cult classic The Dish.