Cillian Murphy and Steven Spielberg remember ‘finest actor’ Sam Neill

Cillian Murphy has described his Peaky Blinders co-star Sam Neill as “one of the finest actors” after his death.

The Northern Ireland-born New Zealand actor died aged 78 in Sydney, Australia, on Monday.

He was best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the blockbuster Jurassic Park franchise.

One of Neill’s other most notable roles was playing sadistic, corrupt senior police officer Major Chester Campbell in the first two seasons of Peaky Blinders.

The show’s star, Murphy, who played Tommy Shelby, paid tribute to Neill, saying: “Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure. He was one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors…RIP.”

The show’s official page also posted a tribute on social media which read: “We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died.

“Sam’s portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages. A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny, and supremely entertaining to watch.

“Sam was one of the key forces that got Peaky Blinders off to a running start, for which we will be forever grateful.

“Our love and thoughts are with his family.”

Joe Cole, Neill’s co-star in Peaky Blinders, posted on Instagram: “Rest in peace big dog.”

A statement on Instagram announcing Neill’s death read: “It is with immense sadness that the whanau (extended family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia.

“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.”

Neill announced in April 2026 that he was cancer-free after treatment, three years after saying he had a “ferocious” and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The statement added: “The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.

“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, including from former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who wrote on Instagram: “It was just a few weeks ago that I had the profound joy of sitting with Sam Neill, talking about life, politics, and home.

“He was such a thoughtful, curious and decent person. Someone who was principled, unafraid of speaking his mind, and willing to take up a fight when he saw injustice. He was also an artist, and anyone who watched him perform knew he was someone special.

“We’ve lost another incredible Kiwi, and I feel profoundly sad. All my aroha to his whanau and friends. And to you, Sam, you have our gratitude and admiration. Rest easy. Moi mai ra.”

In a statement on his production company Amblin Entertainment’s Instagram page, Jurassic Park director Steven Spielberg said: “I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention and led to his playing Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park.

“Sam was exceptionally collaborative. It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children. I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him.

“Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world.”

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s global affairs editor Laura Tingle, who was in a relationship with Neill from 2018 until 2021, also paid tribute to him, saying: “Sweet dreams darling Sam.”

Richard E Grant, his Palm Beach co-star, wrote on Instagram that Neill was an “officer and a gentleman in the truest sense” who “helped me through a very difficult time in my life”.

Fellow New Zealand actor Karl Urban, best known for starring in The Boys, called Neill “an inspiration for many who followed in his trailblazing footsteps”.

Toni Collette, who starred with Neill in two films, called him a “hero, legend, sweetheart and great friend”.

Referring to Neill’s winery, Rachel Griffiths said she would be “cracking Two Paddocks tonight” in his honour.

Australian actress Teresa Palmer, who starred with Neill in the 2019 film Ride Like A Girl, said she was “shattered” at the news of his death.

Daisy Ridley, who stars with Neill in the as-yet-unreleased film The Last Resort, posted a photo of herself with Neill on Instagram with several broken heart emojis.

Rufus Sewell, who starred with Neill in the 1996 film Victory, posted a photo of them on set at the time and wrote: “Lucky to have known him. A great actor and a lovely man.”

Neill’s Event Horizon co-star Sean Pertwee said: “Devastated to learn my friend Sam Neill has passed away. A supreme talent, elegant, intelligent, hilarious, a truly splendid human. Also a major proponent why I married my wife for which I am eternally grateful. Love you Sam.”

Born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, to an English mother and New Zealand father, Neill first gained attention for his role in the 1977 thriller Sleeping Dogs.

His breakthrough came in 1993’s Jurassic Park, a franchise he returned to in Jurassic Park III and 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion.

Neill was also widely acclaimed for his turn as New Zealand settler Alisdair Stewart in Jane Campion’s Oscar-winning film The Piano, as well as Sean Connery thriller The Hunt For Red October, and Taika Waititi’s breakout hit, Hunt For The Wilderpeople.

He also found success on television in The Tudors, The Simpsons and Alcatraz.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon led tributes to him, writing on X: “Sir Sam Neill was one of the greats. He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of.

“For more than 50 years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports. His work will be watched and loved long after all of us.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends tonight. Rest in Peace.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added: “Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts.

“Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance. He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”

Neill lived on a farm and winery called Two Paddocks in the Central Otago region of New Zealand.

He established the winery in 1993, next door to his friend, Roger Donaldson, the director of Sleeping Dogs.

Speaking to the ABC’s Australian Story in 2023 after his cancer diagnosis, Neill said it would be “irritating” if he died as he had so many more life plans.

Neill most recently starred in TV series The Twelve, Apples Never Fall and Untamed, and two films to be released next year, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and The Last Resort.

He leaves four children and eight grandchildren.

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