Sir Sam Neill: the world reacts to the death of a Kiwi icon

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

The world reacted to the death of Kiwi icon Sir Sam Neill with headlines celebrating him as a genius and a true gentleman.

The BBC’s Entertainment Correspondent Colin Paterson commended Neill for his versatility in his roles of the beloved Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park to the nightmarish colonial settler Alisdair Stewart in The Piano.

He said he showed the enormous blockbuster Jurassic Park to his own sons recently.

Sky News UK Sam Neill's death aged 78 has prompted a wave of worldwide reaction.

“It really still stands up as a film and truly terrified them,” he said.

“That's how versatile this guy was. He could do the whole gamut, and that's why there'll be a real outpouring today.

Rolling Stone Australia called him ‘A Giant of the Screen’.

The Guardian said Neill was “a true gentleman” and quoted actors, directors and leaders from around the world paying tribute to him.

CNN Entertainment announced Sam Neill’s death on its website.

“The star of more than 100 films is remembered as a champion of New Zealand’s arts, culture and environment, and a generous collaborator and friend,” it said.

CNN Entertainment said “The acclaimed actor starred in dozens of films and television series over his genre-spanning, five decade career, including the Oscar-winning film “The Piano,” but he is best known for playing the iconic Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park.”

Al Jazeera said he was one of a host of actors and directors who achieved international fame after an explosion of Australian films that began in the late 1970s, a list that includes Paul Hogan, Mel Gibson, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, Jane Campion, Peter Weir and Gillian Armstrong.

“The actor became known in New Zealand as a modest and unassuming person who didn’t embrace celebrity,” it said.

9 News Australia played a tribute to the late actor on Monday night.

“It’s highly likely that he has been Australia’s favourite Kiwi,” a reporter said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted on social media that Neill would be much mourned and long remembered.

“Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts,” he said.

“Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.”