Sam Neill died from pneumonia, his agent confirmed. It was just months after being declared cancer-free following a battle with a rare form of blood cancer.

Cause of Death

The Jurassic Park star’s death at the age of 78 was described by loved ones as “sudden and unexpected.” It occurred at a hospital in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, July 13th.

Neill’s agent Philip Grenz said, “Sam passed away from pneumonia. Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy,” a cutting-edge immunotherapy that uses a patient’s own T cells to combat certain blood cancers.”

Neill had remained professionally active. He filmed four projects back-to-back over the past year, all set for release in the coming months.

Grenz added that Neill’s family plans to hold a private memorial at his New Zealand farm at a later, still-undetermined date, honoring the intensely private actor.

Outpouring of Tributes

The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from around the world.

Steven Spielberg, director of the first two Jurassic Park films, called Neill “exceptionally collaborative.”

The legendary filmmaker added, “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 worldwide.”

Paying tribute to her “beloved lifetime friend“, Dern said, “He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness, and love, always with the driest of wit. He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.”

Goldblum added, “The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever.”

Taika Waititi, who worked with Neill on the 2016 movie Hunt for the Wilderpeople, also reflected on their friendship and career. He posted, “So long, my dear friend. You are so loved and will be sorely missed by us all.”

He also noted Neill’s birth name, adding, “Love you and see you soon, sweet Nigel.”

Neill was born in Northern Ireland before moving to New Zealand as a child and went on to appear in over 50 films, leaving a lasting legacy as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and respected actors.