‘Jurassic Park’ Director Says Sam Neill Will ‘Never Be Forgotten’ After ‘Unexpected’ Death
Sam Neill‘s death has left a void in the hearts of many, including the director of the popular “Jurassic Park” series.
Steven Spielberg paid an emotional tribute to the late actor, praising him for a job well done onscreen while he was still on Earth. The iconic actor, well-known for his role in the Sci-fi film, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 78.
Sam Neill had just emerged victorious after fighting a tough battle with a rare form of blood cancer for nearly five years. He dedicated the rest of his life to helping others facing similar health battles.
‘Jurassic Park’ Director Pays Tribute To Sam Neill’s Life Well Lived
Spielberg has released a statement reflecting on the late actor’s life while paying his tribute. The iconic director expressed his sadness at the shocking news of Neill’s death before praising him for his talent in playing Dr. Alan Grant in the dinosaur franchise.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention and led to his playing Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park,” Spielberg’s statement began.
He added that the late TV star was “exceptionally collaborative,” emphasizing how out of character his TV role was from Neill’s real-life persona. He stressed that Neill was a loving father to his children, contrary to the character he played in the movies.
The director told The Daily Mail that he adored making all the “Jurassic” movies with the late TV star. “Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family, and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world,” Spielberg concluded.
The Actors’ Family Announced His Passing With Request For Privacy
Neill reportedly passed away in a hospital in Sydney on Monday, July 13. His death comes just months after he announced he had won his years-long battle with cancer. His family shared a statement announcing his demise on social media.
“It is with immense sadness that the whānau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday, July 13, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterized his whole life,” part of their statement read.
They also expressed gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital after noting that Neill’s death was “sudden and unexpected.” The late entertainer’s family assured that more details would be shared before requesting that their privacy be respected as they “navigate this immeasurable loss.”
Sam Neill Was Thrilled To Be Finally Cancer Free
Neill first disclosed in 2023 that he was undergoing treatment for stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer, after discovering swollen glands during the “Jurassic World Dominion” press tour.
He began treatment following the conventional route but later revealed that the chemotherapy had stopped working, making him look at other options. The actor shared that he was on a new drug at the time, which he expected to take every month for the rest of his life.
Neill described those years as the “dark moments” of his life, which, in hindsight, he was grateful for. As shared by The Blast in an earlier release, thanks to CAR T-cell therapy, the “Peaky Blinders” actor overcame the cancer hurdle.
He stated that receiving the news of being cancer-free was “an extraordinary thing” and praised scientists and his medical team for their hard work. “I’m very, very excited that this can happen,” Neill told media outlets last April.
The Late Actor Had Plans To Help Others
The Blast reported that while Neill shared his cancer-free update with the world, he also expressed his heartfelt burden to help others get access to the same treatment he got. The CAR T-cell therapy changed the trajectory of his cancer diagnosis, and the onscreen star wanted to do the sme for others in similar situations.
The “Jurassic Park” star revealed that he, along with another successful patient of the same medical intervention, Geoff Nyssen, had plans to make the procedure accessible to others.
The pair, in collaboration with the medical foundation Snowdome, had been putting their best foot forward to receive funding from the state and federal governments for blood cancer patients.
Hematologist Professor Miles Prince noted that the initial regulatory authorities had acknowledged the need for the treatment. They hoped that the CAR T-cell therapy would be approved and available to patients within the next couple of months.
Death Was Not On The List Of Fears For ‘Jurassic Park’ Star Sam Neill
Nearly three years ago, Neill opened up about his cancer battle, and while discussing his failed chemotherapy treatment, the entertainer revealed that he was not afraid of dying.
“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,” the father of four said at the time.
Speaking further, he disclosed that despite his feelings about death, he would love to spend more time on earth. Neill admitted that he would “really like another decade or two” before sharing his plans for the future years.
The actor disclosed that he desired to see his grandchildren grow older and enjoy the olive trees and cypresses he had planted. The Blast shared that the TV personality discovered a reason to live in writing. While putting together his memoir “Did I Ever Tell You This,” he realized he loved writing, and the art became a lifesaver for Neill.
Originally published on theblast.com