Sir Sam Neill: Taika Waititi pays tribute to ‘dear friend’ in heartfelt farewell message
Taika Waititi has farewelled his “dear friend” and fellow New Zealander, Sir Sam Neill, following the late actor’s unexpected death.
The Jurassic Park star died “surrounded by family” in a private hospital in Sydney, Australia, Neill’s loved ones confirmed on social media on Monday night.
He is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren. He was 78.
Political leaders and celebrities immediately joined a chorus of tributes being shared for the beloved actor, who had just revealed he was cancer-free in April following a yearslong battle with a rare form of stage-three blood cancer.
Waititi, who first worked with Neill on his New Zealand classic Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) and later in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), this morning broke his silence to address the sobering news.
The Jojo Rabbit director shared a carousel of photos to Instagram, including photos of the pair on the set of Hunt for the Wilderpeople, climbing Mt Eden / Maungawhau with Julian Dennison, and screengrabs from some of Neill’s best earlier works.
“So long my dear friend,” Waititi captioned the post.
“You are so loved and will be sorely missed by us all.
“Even though you didn’t even remember it, I still think your best work is when you explain space travel by poking a pen through a piece of paper in Event Horizon (also the awesome eyes bit), and playing the antichrist, Damien Thorn, in Omen 3 [The Final Conflict].
“I’m not sure what other roles you did but whatever.
“Love you and see you soon, sweet Nigel.”
Kiwi star remembered around the world
Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Northern Ireland, Neill moved to New Zealand as a child and spent much of his life in the country through his five-decade career.
Announcing his death on Monday night, Neill’s family wrote that he had “passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life”.
“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free,” they said.
“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”
Tributes have poured in from the New Zealand film industry and beyond, with many remembering Neill for his character, talent and warmth both on- and off-screen.
Neill’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople co-star Rima Te Wiata told Ryan Bridge TODAY he was a “very steady, peaceful, grounded man” that had “good energy to be around”.
Cillian Murphy, who starred alongside Neill in British series Peaky Blinders, said he “admired and adored him in equal measure”.
“He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors. RIP.”
Singer Jimmy Barnes, actors Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, and directors Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson also bid their farewell as the news broke.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Neill as “one of the greats” and credited him for helping shape New Zealand’s film industry into what it is today.
Former Prime Ministers Helen Clark and Dame Jacinda Ardern shared personal messages for the late actor, with the latter saying she had the “profound joy” of meeting Neill just weeks ago, where they discussed “life, politics, and home”.
The reaction to Neill’s death was further covered by mastheads around the world, who commemorated the late actor through obituaries and stories of his fruitful career.
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