Prior to his death, 'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill revealed how he wanted to be remembered

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.

Set us as preferred Actor Sam Neill expressed a simple wish for his legacy nearly a year before he died at age 78.The New Zealand star beloved for his leading role in the “Jurassic Park” films said in an August 2025 interview with The Telegraph, published Wednesday, that he wanted to be remembered for his kindness.

Neill, reminiscing on mortality, said this wish was inspired by a painting he owned by Helena Bonham Carter’s mother, Elena Propper de Callejón.“It is a very sweet watercolor of a funny old thing in a flowery dress and bonnet,” Neill said of the artwork.“At the bottom of the painting is an inscription: ‘But she was kind…’ When I am no longer about, I hope someone will be able to say that about me.”Neill died suddenly Monday in Sydney, his family confirmed on Instagram.

Entertainment & Arts Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor known for his roles in ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘The Piano’ and ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ has died.He was 78.The actor announced in April that he was in remission after five years of living with cancer due to a new cancer therapy.

He battled Stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Neill was in remission at the time of his conversation with The Telegraph.

After news of Neill’s death spread, his collaborators remembered him for his talent and his kindness — just as he had hoped.Laura Dern, who played Dr.

Ellie Sattler opposite Neill’s Dr.Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park,” wrote, Neill “showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit.”She continued: “He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man.

I will love you forever, Dr.Alan Grant.”His “Peaky Blinders” co-star Cillian Murphy remembered Neill as “one of t...