July 13 (Reuters) – New Zealand actor Sam Neill died suddenly on Monday at the age of 78, his family said in a statement.
Here is some reaction to the news:
FILMMAKER 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. 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.”
NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER CHRISTOPHER LUXON:
“Sir Sam Neill was one of the greats. He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of. For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports.”
FORMER NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER HELEN CLARK:
“RIP Sam Neill, legendary NZ actor who brought great pride to our country through many starring roles on screen & wide international recognition.”
FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND JACINDA ARDERN:
“It was just a few weeks ago that I had the profound joy of sitting with Sam Neill, talking about life, politics, and home. He was such a thoughtful, curious, and decent person. Someone who was principled, unafraid of speaking his mind, and willing to take up a fight when he saw injustice. He was also an artist, and anyone who watched him perform knew he was someone special.”
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE:
“Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance. He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”
UNIVERSAL PICTURES, AUSTRALIA:
“Rest in peace to our Jurassic legend, Sam Neill.”
BRITISH ACTOR RICHARD E. GRANT:”An officer and a gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my life.
“Sail on, kind Sir.”
NEW ZEALAND ACTOR KARL URBAN:
“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 to the world. God speed Sam.”
AUSTRALIAN ACTOR MAGDA SZUBANSKI:
“I’m just absolutely devastated. Darling Sam. I really don’t have any words right now. I’m in complete shock. Last time we spoke he was going so well. My heart goes out to his family and all who love him — and there are so many of us. Vale my darling friend.”
AUSTRALIAN ACTOR TONI COLLETTE:
“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.”
RACHEL GRIFFITHS, WHO DIRECTED NEILL IN 2019’S “RIDE LIKE A GIRL”:
“Rest in peace Sam — for the characters, chuckles and good company, thank you.”
“JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION” DIRECTOR COLIN TREVORROW:
“Sam Neill was a deeply soulful and beautiful man. He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength. I’ll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It’s not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful.”
NEW ZEALAND FILM COMMISSION IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST:
“There are few people who have shaped the story of New Zealand cinema as profoundly as Sir Sam Neill.
“Sam’s work will continue to be watched, celebrated and discovered by audiences for generations to come.”
(Compiled by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Alison Williams)
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