Sam Neill - who has died at the age of 78 - was able to reconnect with the son he put up for adoption after 25 years apart17:23, 13 Jul 2026Updated 17:23, 13 Jul 2026Sam Neill was able to reconnect with the son he put up for adoption after 25 years apart.‌The Jurassic Park actor's sad death was announced this morning, just months after he said he was cancer free. A statement from Sam's family read: "It is with immense sadness that the whānau [extended family] of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.‌"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."‌Sam was in his early 20s when he became a father for the first time but felt he wasn't "capable" of fatherhood. As a result, he put his son Andrew up for adoption but the pair eventually reconnected when they both "went looking for each other"."No one has all the answers on how to be a good parent. I've got a slightly unusual family; it's more extended than most. My first son, Andrew, was given up for adoption when he was very small. I was quite small, too – in my early twenties. I didn't see him for 25 years and then we went looking for each other," he explained.‌"These reunions are portrayed as sentimental and grisly, but there is nothing sentimental about it. No one sobs in anyone's arms; it's much more grown-up. You're more capable than you think. If I could give my 20-year-old self any piece of advice, it would be that."Sam and Andrew reunited in 1994 and by then, he had had three more kids. He had Tim in 1983 with his first wife Lisa Harrow and then went on to marry Noriko Watanabe, with whom he had Elena with in 1991. He also adopted her daughter Maiko.‌Sam - who was also a grandfather to eight - admitted he had been away for a lot of his kids' lives."Probably a lot of my parenting has been marked by absence for one reason or another, not the least of them being that my job entails travel a lot," he explained."I don't have any tips myself as far as parenting is concerned. At the same time, I'm not going to beat myself up about it. Now I have eight grandchildren. This has to stop! I mean, I've only just got a handle on all their names any more and I'll be struggling."‌His son Tim added: "There are worse things a dad can do than be off working. He is a good dad. He's a very good dad. He's grandad. Grad, as we call him."Sam's death was 'sudden and unexpected' but he was surrounded by his family, it was announced today.Article continues belowLike this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.