Who was Sam Neill? From Anupam Kher to Karl Urban and the New Zealand PM, world pays final respects to the beloved ‘Jurassic Park’ star
Soon after his family took to his Instagram account and confirmed that Sam Neill had passed away, tributes and remembarance posts for the idol started pouring in online. From fans and netizens, to co-workers and close friends, and even prime ministers all reached out to share their love for the veteran actor.
New Zealand Prime Minister and Australian Prime Minister share their tributes for Sam Neill
Remembering the actor and some of his prolific and iconic roles over the years, and the contributions that he made to cinema, Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid his respects to the actor. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), he wrote, “He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of. For more than 50 years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports. His work will be watched and loved long after all of us.”Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also posted about the actor’s demise and wrote, “Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts. Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance. He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”
‘Jurassic World’ director Colin Trevorrow pays his respects to the actor
Colin Trevorrow, who directed ‘Jurassic World’ and Jurassic World Reunion (which also marked Neill’s first return to the franchise since 2005) also paid his respects for the actor, stating, “Sam Neill was a deeply soulful and beautiful man. He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength. I’ll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It’s not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful.”See More: ‘Jurassic Park’ actor Sir Sam Neill passes at 78; family shares statement: ‘The loss was sudden and unexpected’
Co-workers and close friends from the industry also reach out to pay their respects for the actor
NMany of his co-stars and close friends from the film industry also posted about his passing and shared their well-wishes for the late actor.Fellow New Zealand actor Karl Urban, who co-starred with him on ‘Kiwi’ and recently appeared in ‘The Boys’, also took to his social media account to remember his dear friend. He wrote, “Sam was truly brilliant. An inspiration for many who followed in his trailblazing footsteps. A beautiful man. A national treasure who gave so much to New Zealand and the to world. Godspeed Sam.”New Zealand actor Joel Tobeck, who starred opposite Neill in ‘Perfect Strangers’, shared a post about him on Instagram and said, “This man made me feel like I could fly. Even when I was all over the place in his presence, he made it ok. We love to talk rugby. RIP my old mate. Sam Neill, a true gentleman.” New Zealand film producer Chelsea Winstanley, who worked on ‘Jojo Rabbit’, also posted about the actor. She wrote, “Ngā mihi [thank you] Sam for all you gave to the screen industry; you will be missed. Your fight to save the whenua [land] from extraction and exploitation will carry on …. What a time you all had shaping the industry we love, thank you.”Australian director Phillip Noyce, who previously worked with the star, gave a statement to The Guardian and shared, “Sam was perhaps the most gentlemanly actor I ever encountered. Level-headed and sincere in a show business world of crazy egos. His word was his contract. In a strange way Sam was responsible for my long career in Hollywood. When there were rumours that George Miller might have secretly directed Dead Calm, Sam assured the American producer, Mace Neufeld, that I was indeed the director – and Mace then signed me to direct Harrison Ford in Patriot Games.”Anupam Kher, one of the most well-known veteran Bollywood stars, also remembered Sam Neill. Taking to his Instagram account, the actor shared a series of photos of Neill over the years and wrote, “From My Brilliant Career and The Piano to Jurassic Park, The Hunt for Red October and so many other memorable performances, he brought intelligence, dignity and a rare quiet strength to every character he portrayed.” He further added a lengthy post about how great of an actor and person the ‘The Piano’ actor was. Concluding his post, Kher wrote, “The world of cinema has lost an extraordinary artist, and the world has lost a wonderful gentleman. Rest in peace, dear Sam. Your work and your warmth will live on. Om Shanti.”Fellow actor Magda Szubanski also shared her thoughts on the matter, expressing just how shocked she was over the news of his sudden passing. “When I spoke to him not long ago, he was cancer-free and really happy and excited about life, so this is just devastating. He was just a one-off. Just such a talented, classy, beautiful, wry, warm human being”, she shared.Fellow actor Richard E. Grant also remembered his close friend. He wrote that Neill was an “officer and a gentleman in the truest sense.” Oscar nominated star Toni Collette, who is best known for ‘Hereditary’, also shared a post about Sam Neill and wrote, “I love you, dear Sam. You hero. You legend. You sweetheart. Our great friend. You are already missed so very much. Continue in peace wherever you are.” Actor Rhys Darbyalso shared, “A truly great human, a legend and an inspiration to all even beyond the art world. We will always love you Sam.” Alan Cumming, who is currently the host of ‘The Traitors’ said, “Ahhh Sam, what a glorious beautiful man. You are missed. Sorry to the family for your immense loss.”On July 13, Neill’s family confirmed in a social media post that while he was cancer-free, he passed away suddenly at his Sydney home, surrounded by his loved ones.
