Alec Baldwin faces backlash for 'all about you' Sam Neill tribute

Thursday, 16 July 2026

American actor Alec Baldwin is facing mixed reviews and social media backlash over a video tribute he posted following the death of Sir Sam Neill.

Critics labelled the nearly three-minute video 'underwhelming,' pointing out that Baldwin only mentioned Neill in the opening 10 seconds and the final 5 seconds.

Sir Sam Neill died unexpectedly in Sydney on Monday at age 78, having spent five years living with stage-three blood cancer before recently announcing he was cancer-free.

American actor Alec Baldwin has drawn mixed reactions after posting a video tribute to the late Sir Sam Neill, with some viewers criticising the nearly three-minute clip for focusing more on Baldwin than the New Zealand actor.

The self-recorded video, shared on social media, mentions Neill in the opening seconds and again in its closing moments, but is otherwise largely devoted to Baldwin reflecting on his own experience making the 1990 film The Hunt for Red October and praising its cast.

One commenter wrote: “What an underwhelming tribute to Sam Neill,” while another said: “If you’re going to pay tribute Alec, do it with some conviction, not about you.”

Others added: “Was this post even about Sam?” and “Omg I’m sorry I thought you were paying respects to Sam Neill. I didn’t realise it was all about you.”

After saying he was “stricken” by Neill’s death, Baldwin reflected on filming The Hunt for Red October, describing it as “probably my first big movie in terms of having a decent-sized role”, adding that he had played smaller parts in Working Girl and Beetlejuice.

“We shot in ’89, it came out in 1990, a long time ago,” he said.

Baldwin went on to describe it as “one of the few movies I have ever done where I remember the whole movie”.

“That’s what a fan I am of that work.

“Not me. I’m not a fan of my work, but I am a fan of their work.”

He then praised director John McTiernan and several cast members, including Sean Connery, James Earl Jones, Scott Glenn and Jeffrey Jones, before returning to Neill in the closing seconds of the video.

“Anyway, oh my God. My God. Sam Neill. My love to his family. My love to his family.”

Not everyone was critical, with some praising Baldwin’s tribute.

“Always admire the way you speak about others,” one person commented, while another wrote: “I so love and admire how you speak so kindly of others. Sam Neill.”

Neill died unexpectedly on Monday, aged 78, in Sydney.

The actor had lived with stage-three blood cancer for five years but announced only months ago that he was cancer-free.

“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” his family said in a statement.

“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free.”

Comments on Baldwin’s post have since been limited.