He had announced he had a rare non-Hodgkins disease a few years ago, but his family said that he was cancer-free when he passed.
July 13, 2026, 04:46 AM
hberttmank
Sorry to hear this. He had some great roles over the years. In the Mouth of Madness, the Jurassic Park films and Dead Calm were some of my faves.
"But, as luck would have it, he stood up. He caught that chunk of lead." Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock "If there's one thing this last week has taught me, it's better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it." Clarence Worley
I first saw Sam Neill in the series "Reilly: Ace of Spies" and have enjoyed his performances ever since. From what I could tell, he seemed like a genuinely decent person and not hung up on himself like so many in the film business.
I'd hoped to be seeing him in at least a few more movies in the future and am sad for his passing.
July 13, 2026, 07:56 AM
airsoft guy
As a child of the 90s, who was of course really into dinosaurs, this one kinda stings a lot. 78 is an ok run these days, but dango if he couldn't have given us a lot more too.
quote:
Originally posted by Will938: If you don't become a screen writer for comedy movies, then you're an asshole.
July 13, 2026, 08:08 AM
daikyu
In the Mouth of Madness is a personal favorite.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a good late career little known gem.
July 13, 2026, 09:09 AM
oddball
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
July 13, 2026, 09:24 AM
1gkek
The Dish (2000) is a favorite of mine. Sad to see home go.
July 13, 2026, 09:34 AM
flesheatingvirus
Dammit. He was awesome. The last thing I saw him in was Peaky Blinders.
________________________________________
-- Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past me I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. --
July 13, 2026, 10:17 AM
BMR
He had many good roles. He was very memorable as a villain in "Peaky Blinders." Sorry to hear that he has died.
July 13, 2026, 10:48 AM
corsair
quote:
Originally posted by BMR: He had many good roles. He was very memorable as a villain in "Peaky Blinders." Sorry to hear that he has died.
As much as he stood out in Jurassic Park, his playing of Major Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders, the main bad-guy for the early seasons, being the morally corrupt and nasty protagonist to Thomas Shelby, was a huge role. The look of rage, jealousy and contempt when he finds out his plant, Grace is in-love with Shelby, he absolutely nails.
July 13, 2026, 10:52 AM
Dwill104
Don’t forget Dr. Weir in Event Horizon.
July 14, 2026, 01:09 PM
6guns
Where does the time go? I'd never have guessed he was 78.
SIGforum: For all your needs! Imagine our influence if every gun owner in America was an NRA member! Click the box>>>
July 15, 2026, 07:53 PM
andronicus
Totally agree on "The Mouth of Madness" Such an underrated film. That scene of him at the end of going into the theater with a large popcorn bucket said it all
