SAM NEILL, JURASSIC PARK STAR, DIES AGED 78

Sam Neill has died at the age of 78, his family announced on 13 July in a statement posted on his social media account. Neill died in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by family members. His family described his death as sudden and unexpected. The statement noted that Neill remained cancer-free at the time of his passing and expressed gratitude to staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their care.

Neill was diagnosed in 2022 with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which led him to take a break from acting. Earlier this year, he announced he was cancer-free following treatment with CAR T-cell therapy, a cutting-edge approach that genetically modifies blood cells, after chemotherapy had ceased to be effective. Neill was best known for his role as Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, a part that made him a prominent figure in cinema for decades.

His death prompted numerous tributes on social media from viewers and fans. One commenter referenced Neill's iconic dinosaur role, whilst another described him as a childhood hero who inspired a career interest in palaeontology. His family requested privacy as they navigate the loss, stating further details would be shared later.