Sam Neill, actor known for ‘Jurassic Park,’ dies at 78

BREAKING NEWSJul. 13, 2026, 6:05 AM UTCCulture & TrendsCulture & TrendsSam Neill, actor known for ‘Jurassic Park,’ dies at 78“The loss was sudden and unexpected,” Neill’s family said in a statement Monday.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Gran in a scene from 1993's "Jurassic Park."Murray Close / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Katrina TudlongSam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for his role in the “Jurassic Park” movies, has died, his family said Monday. He was 78.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” the family said in a statement on social media. “The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free,” it added.Neill had announced he was cancer free in April after five years undergoing treatment for blood cancer.Sam Neill in the Gold Coast, Australia in 2025.Chris Hyde / Getty Images for AFI fileThe New Zealand actor found international claim for his portrayal of Dr. Alan Grant in “Jurassic Park,” a role he reprised in subsequent movies.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleKatrina TudlongKatrina Tudlong is a desk editor at NBC News' London bureau.