The actor died at 78 on Monday, his family shared.

Steven Spielberg, Nicole Kidman, Cillian Murphy, and more stars react to Sam Neill’s death: ‘One of the greats’

The actor died at 78 on Monday, his family shared.

By Leigh Blickley

on July 13, 2026 5:18 p.m. ET

Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant. Credit:

Murray Close/Getty

- Celebrities are mourning the death of Sam Neill.

- Toni Collette, Richard E. Grant, and more shared touching tributes on social media.

- Neill died at 78 on Monday, his family shared.

Sam Neill is being remembered by celebrities and costars following his “sudden and expected” death at 78.

The actor, best known for his role as Alan Grant in *Jurassic Park*, died on Monday “surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” his family shared in a statement.

“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free,” the statement continued. “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’s colleagues mourned his death, including his *Jurassic Park* director Steven Spielberg.

“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 said in a statement posted to Amblin Entertainment’s Instagram account. “Sam was exceptionally collaborative. It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children. I adored making all the *Jurassic* movies with him. 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.”

Dern, who played Neill’s love interest in the films, called the actor her “beloved lifetime friend” in a statement to **. “He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit,” Dern said. “He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.”

Nicole Kidman, who starred with Neill in *Dead Calm* in 1989, said she was “immensely saddened” by the news.

“Sam was one of the greats, a joy to be around,” Kidman said in a statement to *The Sydney Morning Herald*. “We met when I was just 18 and he took me under his wing and we stayed friends for life. He was charming, kind, funny and intelligent. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family.”

Neill’s *A Long Way Down *and* Dirty Deeds *costar Toni Collette shared a thoughtful post on her Instagram Stories.

Toni Collette and Sam Neill.

Peter Carrette Archive/Getty

“My friend Sam left us this morning. Yes, he was an incredible actor. But he was also the most beautiful, decent gentleman. A big hearted king with a dry, hilarious wit. I feel so lucky to have known him,” she wrote. “When I think of Sam I always see him giggling. It is a terribly sad day. Rest in peace, dear Sam.”

She also shared a throwback group photo featuring herself and Neill on Instagram, writing, “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.”

Jeff Goldblum, who starred in *Jurassic Park *with Neill as Ian Malcolm, shared pictures of them and Dern from the 1993 movie. “The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever. 🦕💕,” Goldblum captioned the Instagram post. The trio reunited months before for a dinosaur-themed Super Bowl Xfinity ad.

Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum in ‘Jurassic Park’.

MCA/Courtesy Everett

Cillian Murphy, with whom Neill starred in the first two seasons of *Peaky Blinders*, said in a statement to Deadline, “Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure. He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors.”

*Peaky Blinders* star Annabelle Wallis shared a behind-the-scenes photo of Neill and Murphy on set on Instagram. “Thank you, Sam, for the memories. I will never forget your kindness and loving heart,” she wrote. “My heart goes out to your family and all those who love you. 💔 You will be missed.”

Russell Crowe penned a touching tribute on X, calling the late actor “kind, wise, impish, graceful, warm.” He added, “The last time I saw him I took the opportunity to tell him he was an inspiration to me. Rest in Peace Sam.”

Actor Richard E. Grant posted a series of photos of Neill and discussed their friendship in a poignant post.

“Knew @samneilltheprop for 3 decades and finally worked with him on PALM BEACH in 2018. An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life,” Grant captioned the post. “Sail on, kind Sir.”

Below, see more celebrity tributes to Sam Neill:

Pop star Kylie Minogue commented on the post announcing Neil’s death, writing, “Vale Sam,” which is Latin for “farewell.”

Fellow New Zealand actor Karl Urban also commented, writing, “Heartfelt condolences to your whānau . 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. God speed Sam.”

Joe Cole, Sam’s *Peaky Blinders* co-star, said: “Rest in peace big dog.”

Luke Hemsworth added, “Farewell Sam! Thank you so much for everything you gave in your life and career. Your humor your heart and your wisdom. You were loved and You will be missed. Condolences to all of the whanau.”

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

Sam Neill, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Possession’ star, dies at 78

Rachel Griffiths wrote, “Such a shock - loved by so many - I’ll be cracking two paddocks tonight.”

Rob Lowe called Neill a “true unicorn.”

“Brilliant actor in all genres,” he wrote on X of his *Framed *costar. “Handsome leading man and killer character actor. Loving family man with a life outside of show business. A hero of mine, and I will miss him.”

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Sebastian Roche commented, “Such sad news. I worked with Sam on *Merlin* and not only was he a brilliant actor but he was such a wonderful person as well. Thank you for kindness and humour fabulous Sam.”

And Ryan Paevey added, “God this stopped me in my tracks. What a loss….i hope he is at peace, and somehow knows how much he was loved and will be missed.”

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