New Zealand actor Sam Neill, best known for his roles in Jurassic Park and The Piano, has died at the age of 78. His family said he passed away in Sydney following a sudden and unexpected medical event.

Neill had revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His family said he was cancer-free at the time of his death but did not disclose the cause of the medical event.

During a career spanning more than five decades, Neill earned international acclaim for his performances in critically acclaimed dramas as well as major Hollywood productions.