Cillian Murphy, Nicole Kidman, “Jurassic World Dominion” director Colin Trevorrow, “Jurassic Park” co-star Jeff Goldblum and more paid tribute to Sam Neill following the news on Monday that the “Jurassic Park” and “Peaky Blinders” star had died at age 78.
Murphy, who worked with Neill on the first two seasons of Netflix’s “Peaky Blinders,” said in a statement to Variety: “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.”
Kidman, who played Neill’s wife in the 1989 psychological thriller “Dead Calm,” said she was “immensely saddened” by the loss. “Sam was one of the greats, a joy to be around,” she said in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald. “We met when I was just 18 and he took me under his wing and we stayed friends for life. He was charming, kind, funny and intelligent. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family.”
“Sam Neill was a deeply soulful and beautiful man,” Trevorrow wrote on Instagram. “He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength. I’ll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters. It’s not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend. Forever grateful.”
Goldblum, who starred with Neill in 1993’s “Jurassic Park,” shared a still from the film and wrote, “The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever.”
Neill was also remembered on the official “Peaky Blinders” Instagram account. “We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died,” the post reads. “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.”
Toni Collette, who starred alongside Neill in 2002’s “Dirty Deeds,” shared a sweet selfie of them on Instagram with the caption: “I love you, dear Sam. You hero. You legend. You sweetheart. Our great friend. You are already missed so very much. Continue in peace wherever you are.”
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Neill’s fellow New Zealand actor Karl Urban paid tribute to the actor in the comments section of the family’s Instagram announcement as “an inspiration for many who followed in his trailblazing footsteps. A beautiful man, a national treasure who gave so much to New Zealand and the to world. God speed Sam.”
“The Traitors” host Alan Cumming added: “Ahhh Sam, what a glorious beautiful man. You are missed. Sorry to the family for your immense loss.” Pop star Kylie Minogue wrote: “Vale Sam 💔.” Vale is a term for farewell or goodbye in Australia.
“Rest in peace to our Jurassic legend, Sam Neill,” Universal Pictures posted on X.
“Muriel’s Wedding” star Rachel Griffiths, who directed Neill in 2019’s “Ride Like a Girl,” wrote: “Such a shock – loved by so many – I’ll be cracking two paddocks tonight,” a reference to Two Paddocks, Neill’s Central Otago winery.
“Knew @samneilltheprop for 3 decades and finally worked with him on PALM BEACH in 2018. An officer and a Gentleman in the truest sense. Guided and helped me through a very difficult time in my Life,” actor Richard E. Grant posted on Instagram.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also paid tribute on social media. “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 fifty 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,” Luxon wrote. He added, “Sam made us proud to be Kiwis and we couldn’t have been prouder of him.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered his own remembrance. “Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance,” Albanese wrote.
From Variety US