Actor Sam Neill Dies

Monday, July 13, 2026

Sam Neill, a smoothly elegant and versatile actor whose career moved from art film to blockbuster as he dodged velociraptors in "Jurassic Park" to playing Holly Hunter's husband in "The Piano," has died. He was 78.

Posted by jpw at 11:33 AM | 8 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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RIP Sam Neill

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-- The Independent (@the-independent.com) 2:12 AM Â· Jul 13, 2026

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God speed Dr Grant.

#1 | Posted by jpw at 2026-07-13 04:18 AM | Reply

He showed up for work on time, knew his lines, and did his job while making the acting part of acting invisible, seemingly so effortless - and by all accounts remained himself. Good job on ye, boyo, and keep the wind at yer back. RIP.

#2 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-07-13 04:48 AM | Reply

The Piano represents two grueling hours of my life I cannot reclaim.

What a horrid film.

RIP.

#3 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-07-13 09:53 AM | Reply

I concur,utterly Forgettable.

#4 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-07-13 10:16 AM | Reply

Get her the f----- piano. Ten-minute film. To hell with feminism.

Holly Hunter was a doll, though.

#5 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-07-13 10:20 AM | Reply

He was the son of Satan. Good riddance.

#6 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-07-13 11:10 AM | Reply

The Apple+ show "Invasion" was marketed as if he was the star, and then he died in the first episode.

#7 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2026-07-13 01:16 PM | Reply

JPW's original headline was a lovelt, bittersweet line Sam Neill delivered as "Capt. Vasili Borodin" in The Hunt for Red October: "I would like to have seen Montana.".

#8 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-07-13 01:26 PM | Reply