Sam Neill, the actor known for his roles in Jurassic Park, Dead Calm, and The Piano, has died aged 78. He was refreshingly candid in a 2024 interview, discussing his cancer treatment, his disdain for Hollywood, and his love for farming in New Zealand.
Interview with Sam Neill in 2024
In 2024, I interviewed Sam Neill remotely while he was filming the Netflix series Untamed in Vancouver. We were there to discuss the Australian court-room drama The Twelve. He was immediately disarmingly frank, saying its second season was “considerably stronger” than the first. This honesty is rare among actors, who typically avoid criticizing projects. Neill's openness was warm and refreshing.
He had recently undergone treatment for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, which inspired his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This? He described himself as “an idle man,” despite a prolific career. When challenged, he disappeared to find his book but returned with Richard Flanagan’s Question 7, declaring it superior. This self-deprecating, generous attitude defined him.
Career highlights and Hollywood disdain
Neill’s first feature, Sleeping Dogs (1976), was the first New Zealand film with a US release. He became a full-time actor at 30. Dead Calm (1989) shot him and Nicole Kidman to fame, but he never wanted to move to Hollywood, spending only 18 months in LA. He found it boring: “There was nothing but show business. No other conversations, no other interests. It bores the shit out of me.” He preferred his rural life in New Zealand, farming and growing wine to stay sane.
He was proudest of Possession (1981), a “very Polish and very brave” film where Isabelle Adjani was “astonishing.” The Piano (1993) was his most impactful independent movie. After his cancer treatment, he became nonchalantly truthful, calling action movies dumb and praising cinema from the 1950s to 1970s. Yet he worked constantly, saying, “The idea of not working fills me with dread.”
Personal life and legacy
Neill is survived by his son Tim (born 1983) with actor Lisa Harrow, and daughter Elena (born 1991) with makeup artist Noriko Watanabe. He remained grounded, finding immense seduction in being asked to do international work from New Zealand. His candor, charm, and versatility leave a lasting legacy.
