From Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, UK • 1947 - 2026
Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill (14 September 1947 – 13 July 2026) was a New Zealand actor and entrepreneur. His career, which spanned over five decades, involved leading roles in both independent films and blockbusters, including as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park series of films. Considered an "international leading man", he was regarded as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. Born in Northern Ireland to an English mother and a New Zealand father, Neill moved to Christchurch with his family in 1954. He first achieved recognition with his appearance in the film Sleeping Dogs (1977), followed by leading roles in My Brilliant Career (1979), The Final Conflict, Possession (both 1981), Attack Force Z (1982), Evil Angels (also known as A Cry in the Dark) (1988), Dead Calm (1989), Death in Brunswick (1990), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Piano (1993), In the Mouth of Madness (1994), and Event Horizon (1997). He came to international prominence as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993), a role he reprised in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). Outside film, Neill appeared in numerous television series, including The Tudors (2007), Crusoe (2008–2010), Happy Town (2010) and Alcatraz (2012). He also starred as the eponymous Sidney Reilly in Reilly, Ace of Spies (1983) and Merlin in Merlin (1998) and Merlin's Apprentice (2006), and as Major Chester Campbell in the first two series of Peaky Blinders (2013–2014). Additionally, he presented and narrated several documentaries. Neill was the recipient of the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, the Longford Lyell Award, the New Zealand Film Award, and the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor. He also received three Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He won the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor at the 2023 Logies. (Via Wikipedia)
