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Sam Neill, one of the stars of “Jurassic Park,” died on Monday, July 13 at the age of 78
His family announced his “sudden and unexpected” passing
“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterized his whole life,” the statement read. It went on to note that Neill remained cancer-free at the time of his death
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Just two months ago, Neill announced he was cancer-free following his battle with a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
Neill’s career spanned five decades and was defined by appearances in both blockbusters like the aforementioned “Jurassic Park” and independent films, as well as both Australian and New Zealand cinema
His filmography is long, but here are 12 movies and shows we recommend checking out on streaming to celebrate the life of a great actor
‘Sleeping Dogs’ (1977)
Considered one of the best New Zealand films of all time, “Sleeping Dogs” was a critical and commercial success that launched Neill’s career. The movie follows Smith (Neill) as New Zealand plunges into a police state and the government institutes martial law after industrial disputes flare into violence
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Stream “Sleeping Dogs” on: Apple TV (buy for $3.99)
‘Dead Calm’ (1989)
Neill starred alongside Nicole Kidman in “Dead Calm.” The 1989 psychological thriller followed Neill and Kidman, a married couple who rescue a mysterious stranger abandoning a sinking ship
Kidman called Neill her “friend for life” in a statement, noting that they “met when I was just 18, and he took me under his wing.”
“He was charming, kind, funny, and intelligent,” she said
Stream “Dead Calm” on: Prime Video (buy or rent), Tubi
‘The Hunt for Red October’ (1990)
“The Hunt for Red October” is the first cinematic portrayal of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. Neill plays Captain Second Rank Vasily Borodin, the second-in-command aboard the Soviet submarine, the Red October
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Stream “The Hunt for Red October” on: Paramount+ (free trial), Peacock (free trial), Tubi
‘The Piano’ (1993)
Neill showed off a darker side in “The Piano,” where he played antagonist, the rigid and intense Alisdair Stewart. Stewart forms one point in the film’s tragic love triangle as he is to be married to Ada (Holly Hunter), a woman who hasn’t spoken since the age of six and uses a piano, sign language and her young daughter to communicate for her
“The Piano” is currently not streaming,butyou can buy the Criterion Collection 4K or Blu-ray for 50% off right now
‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)
In what is perhaps the role Neill is best known for, he starred alongside Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum in Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park.” Neill plays paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant, who is invited to the dinosaur theme park on Isla Nublar to deem it safe for humans to visit
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When industrial sabotage leads to a major shutdown of the park’s security precautions and power facilities, a small group, including Grant, Dr. Ellie Sattler (Dern) and Ian Malcolm (Goldblum), struggles to escape the dinosaur-filled island
Dern, who played Neill’s love interest in the film, called him her “beloved lifetime friend” and “dream leading man” in a statement to Page Six
“Sam was my beloved lifetime friend… He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit,” she said
Her statement concluded, “I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.”
Stream “Jurassic Park” on: Prime Video (buy or rent)
‘In the Mouth of Madness’ (1994)
Neill worked with prolific horror director John Carpenter on “In the Mouth of Madness.” He plays John Trent, an insurance investigator visiting a small town while looking into the disappearance of a successful author of horror novels. As the lines between reality and fiction seem to blur, Trent begins to question his sanity
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Stream “In the Mouth of Madness” on: Prime Video (buy or rent), Tubi
‘Event Horizon’ (1997)
Despite a troubled production, “Event Horizon” seamlessly blends sci-fi and horror, and in the years since its release, it has been reassessed and is now considered a cult classic. The movie follows a crew of astronauts in the year 2047 who are sent on a rescue mission after the Event Horizon, a spaceship that went missing seven years earlier, spontaneously reappears in orbit around Neptune
Neill plays the designer of the Event Horizon, who slowly descends into madness and villainy
Stream “Event Horizon” on: MGM+ (free trial), Prime Video (buy or rent)
‘Jurassic Park III’ (2001)
Neill returned to the “Jurassic Park” universe for “Jurassic Park III,” where he briefly reunited with Dern on screen. In it, Dr. Grant is enlisted, with the promise of financial backing for a new study on velociraptors, to help a divorced couple find their missing son on Isla Sorna, where much of the dinosaur research for the Park was conducted
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Stream “Jurassic Park III” on: Prime Video (buy or rent)
‘The Tudors’ (2007)
Neill starred in Season 1 of Showtime’s “The Tudors” as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the Archbishop of York. Wolsey was King Henry VIII’s (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) most trusted advisor, but his power and influence over the King leads to unrest among several noble families
In 2008, Neill said that he “really enjoyed” making “The Tudors”, “with a cast that [he] liked very much and with a story [he] found very compelling.”
Stream “The Tudors” on: Prime Video (free trial)
‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013-2014)
Neill appeared on the first two seasons of the popular crime drama, which premiered in 2013. He was the first and second series’ primary antagonist, Chester Campbell. Sent in to clean up the city and fight against groups, including the Peaky Blinders gang by Winston Churchill, Campbell resorts to brutal and underhanded tactics
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In an exclusive statement, “Peaky Blinders” star Cillian Murphy told Page Six that Neill was “one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people.”
“Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure,” he said
Stream “Peaky Blinders” on:Netflix
‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ (2016)
One of Neill’s more recent critically acclaimed roles came in Taika Waititi’s adventure-comedy “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.” The New Zealand film follows Neill’s “Uncle” Hector as he and his foster son become targets of a manhunt after fleeing into the bush
Stream “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” on: Prime Video (free trial)
‘Jurassic World Dominion’ (2022)
Neill revisited Dr. Alan Grant one last time as one of the main characters in “Jurassic World Dominion.” He returned alongside Dern and Goldblum, whose characters reunite to investigate a conspiracy and take a corporation down. Of course, they also encounter some dinosaurs along the way
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Stream “Jurassic World Dominion” on:Netflix, Prime Video (buy or rent)
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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for the New York Post, Page Six, and Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with information on how to watch all of your favorite reality TV shows and movies on each streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, celebrities and pop culture. Prior to joining The Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews
