A versatile actor whose roles went far beyond Jurassic Park - Sam Neill dies aged 78
Renowned New Zealand actor Sam Neill has passed away at the age of 78. While best known for his role in the Jurassic Park franchise, he enjoyed a diverse five-decade career spanning arthouse cinema and major blockbusters.
Why it matters
Neill was a significant figure in international cinema, and his death marks the loss of a versatile and highly respected performer.
Image source, Getty Images By Steven McIntosh Entertainment reporter Published 1 hour ago Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor who has died aged 78, will forever be most associated with the film that made him an international star: Jurassic Park.
The 1993 blockbuster dominated his filmography and sparked a series of sequels and reboots - including the recent Jurassic World series, in which he reprised his role as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant.
But there was much more to Neill's career than escaping Velociraptors in the visitor centre of a billionaire's tropical island.
Across a career spanning five decades, Neill showed himself to be an actor of depth, capable of taking on a wide range of roles in films ranging from box office hits to acclaimed arthouse movies.
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