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Sam Neill died from pneumonia, his longtime manager Philip Grenz has revealed, after the Jurassic Park star passed away at the age of 78.
The New Zealand actor had been cancer-free at the time of his death, having previously overcome angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.
In comments reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, Grenz said he was issuing a statement to address “falsehoods” that had emerged since Neill’s death on Monday in a Sydney hospital surrounded by his family.
Grenz told TMZ a private memorial service would be held at the actor’s farm in New Zealand, in accordance with Neill’s wishes.
Tributes poured in from across the film industry following Neill’s death, with colleagues and fans remembering the actor for a career spanning more than five decades, including acclaimed performances in Jurassic Park, The Piano and Peaky Blinders.
Full Statement From Neill’s Manager
Grenz, who has been Neill’s manager for 19 years, according to Television New Zealand, said in a statement: “As Sam Neill’s longtime rep, I spoke with his family and wish to clarify some details for his fans.
“Sam passed away from pneumonia. Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy.
“In addition to running his award-winning winery, Two Paddocks, Sam had filmed four projects back-to-back during the past year, all of which will be released within the coming months.
“As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honour him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand at a still-undetermined later date.
“I’d like to thank those who were truly close to Sam for considering his privacy with the respect he earned and his loved ones need and deserve during this immeasurably difficult time.”
What Is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in one or both lungs to become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus.
It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi and ranges in severity from mild illness to a life-threatening condition, particularly in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Common symptoms include cough, fever, chills, chest pain and shortness of breath.
According to the Mayo Clinic, people over the age of 65 and those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe pneumonia and its complications.
Neill’s Death: What We Know
Neill’s family announced on Monday that the actor had died in Sydney following what they described as a “sudden and unexpected” illness. The statement said he was surrounded by loved ones and had “passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,” but did not disclose a cause of death.
The family also stressed that Neill had remained cancer-free after his diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2023, prompting speculation about what had led to his death. They asked for privacy as they mourned and said funeral arrangements would be announced at a later date.
Neill’s Career
Although he was best known internationally for playing paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993), Neill earned critical acclaim for performances in films including The Piano (1993), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Dead Calm (1989) and The Horse Whisperer (1998).
In later years, he appeared in television series including Peaky Blinders and Apples Never Fall, while continuing to work steadily in Australian and New Zealand productions.
Widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most accomplished actors, Neill was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2006 for services to acting.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Tony Phillips
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