World leaders and fellow actors have paid heartfelt tribute to Sam Neill, remembering the Jurassic Park star as a talented, warm and influential screen legend following his death at the age of 78.

The much-loved actor, best known for his role as palaeontologist Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, has died.

“The loss was sudden and unexpected,” Neill’s family said in a statement Monday.

The star had announced he had won his battle with cancer in April.

Actor Sam Neill, star of 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Piano,' died at age 78.