Acclaimed New Zealand actor Sir Sam Neill, best known for his iconic role as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, has died at the age of 78. His family confirmed that he passed away suddenly in Sydney.

Neill enjoyed a distinguished acting career spanning more than five decades, starring in acclaimed films and television productions including The Piano, The Hunt for Red October, Dead Calm, Peaky Blinders and The Tudors.

The actor became a global household name for his portrayal of palaeontologist Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993), later reprising the role in subsequent films in the franchise.

Earlier this year, Neill announced that he was cancer-free after successfully overcoming a years-long battle with blood cancer, making news of his passing an unexpected shock to fans around the world.

Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues, fans and public figures, celebrating his remarkable contributions to film and television and his enduring legacy as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors.