Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor known for Jurassic Park and The Piano, has died at the age of 78. He maintained a steady career in both blockbusters and independent films over decades.
Sam Neill had worked in films for nearly two decades before gaining wider recognition at age 45. He often supported leading actresses in roles that highlighted their performances, appearing alongside Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career and Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm.
In 1993 he took on two major parts that defined his later career. As Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, he starred in the blockbuster while noting the dinosaurs remained the main draw. In The Piano he played a different character as the abusive husband opposite Holly Hunter.
Neill continued selecting varied projects afterward, including In the Mouth of Madness and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. He later gained attention on social media for his humor and interest in nature.
