The “Jurassic Park” actor was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2022.

Sam Neill was cancer-free just 3 months before his death, said he was ‘not afraid’ of dying

The “Jurassic Park” actor was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in 2022.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

EW's editorial guidelines

July 13, 2026 11:22 a.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Sam Neill at the 2025 AACTA Awards in Gold Coast, Australia in February 2025. Credit:

Chris Hyde/Getty

- Three months before his death, Sam Neill revealed that he was cancer-free.

- The *Jurassic Park* actor was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer, in 2022 and underwent chemotherapy and other treatments.

- Neill’s promising health update made him want to return to acting.

Sam Neill gave a promising health update months before his death.

The *Jurassic Park** *actor told Australian outlet *7NEWS** *in April that he was “living with a particular type of lymphoma for about five years” and had undergone chemotherapy. “Pretty miserable business, but it was keeping me alive,” he said of the treatment.

At one point, it stopped working for him. “I was at a loss, and it looked like I was on the way out, which wasn’t ideal, obviously.”

Neill then began receiving CAR T-cell therapy, a treatment which aimed to “genetically modify” blood cells, via a clinical trial, *7NEWS *reported. “I’ve had a scan just now, and there is no cancer in my body. This is an extraordinary thing,” he admitted.

Sam Neill in ‘Jurassic Park’. Amblin/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock

He said the treatment was “science at its best,” and had even inspired to get back out in front of the camera. “It’s time I did another movie,” Neill declared.

Neill announced in 2023 that he was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2022, telling *The Guardian* that “I can’t pretend that the last year hasn’t had its dark moments” as he was treated for stage 3 blood cancer.

“But those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief, you know, and have made me grateful for every day and immensely grateful for all my friends. Just pleased to be alive.”

Sam Neill was beaming at his last public appearance a month before his death

Laura Dern remembers ‘Jurassic Park’ costar Sam Neill in touching statement

While he was sick, he wrote the memoir *Did I Ever Tell You This?*, but insisted it wasn’t a “cancer book.” He explained: “I can’t stand them. I am never going to read another bloody cancer book in my life.”

“I never had any intention to write a book. But as I went on and kept writing, I realized it was actually sort of giving me a reason to live and I would go to bed thinking, I’ll write about that tomorrow … that will entertain me. And so it was a lifesaver really, because I couldn’t have gone through that with nothing to do, you know,” continued Neill.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

He also got candid about death. “I’m not afraid to die,” he told *The Guardian*, “but it would annoy me.”

“Because I’d really like another decade or two, you know? We’ve built all these lovely terraces, we’ve got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be around to see it all mature. And I’ve got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big,” Neill elaborated.

“But as for the dying?” he continued. “I couldn’t care less.”

Months later, Neill’s family announced his death at 78. “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia,” they shared in an Instagram post.

Sam Neill at SiriusXM Studios in New York in March 2024.

Jason Mendez/Getty

“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterized 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.”

Neill is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Death News

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrity”