After concern grew among fans following news of actor Sam Neill’s battle with stage 3 blood cancer, the Jurassic Park star has taken to social media to assure fans he is doing fine.
Neill posted a video to Instagram in which he shared further details regarding his health status and that he is currently in remission.
“Hi I’m Sam Neill, actor of sorts, vintner, and an author as it happens. And my news seems to be all over the news at the moment, and it’s sort of ‘Cancer ! Cancer! Cancer !’ Which is slightly tiresome because as you see, I am alive and well and I have been in remission for eight months, which feels really good,” he began.
“And I’m alive and kicking and I’m going to work. I’m very happy to be going back to work. We start filming in seven days time. I’m doing a thing called ‘Apples Never Fall’ with Annette Bening , and a really wonderful cast.”
Neill then implored fans to focus less on his latest health news and instead get excited about his new book.
“So here I am, and I just wish the headline wasn’t ‘that thing’ so much, because the main thing is that I have written this book, it’s called ‘Did I Ever Tell You This?’. And it does mention cancer because that’s the sort of context in which I wrote it,” he said.
“But I didn’t really mean to write a book, I needed something to do while I was undergoing treatment, and I am used to going to work and I suddenly couldn’t go to work. So that’s why I wrote the book, and I have to say there’s been great response to it. People seem to love it, which is great. I was very nervous, obviously as a first time author. Anyway , I think it’s fun. We sub-titled it ‘Movies, Life, Love and Other Catastrophes. So it gives you an idea of all the crazy things that have happened to me.
“The tone of the book is one of surprise. I never thought that I would have a career as an actor, let alone an actor on screen. But that’s kind of what happened and I am full of gratitude looking back on this life , and that’s what the book is about. I hope you enjoy it. I enjoyed reading the audiobook the other day, I hadn’t looked at the book for quite a while but I found it more entertaining than I expected. And I would look through the glass window at the audio engineer / producer and he seemed to be cracking up a lot so I take that as a good sign.
“So I hope you enjoy it, and let’s not worry too much about ‘all that’ because I’m fine . Okay !”
Fans were quick to offer their well wishes to the 75-year-old, many thanking him for letting them know he was doing well.
“You are loved, by everyone. Stay well,” one fan wrote.
“I was worried for you when I heard the news so thanks for letting your fans know you’re in remission. Looking forward to your book, the new movie, and many more projects from you in the future.”
“You look fabulous, you handsome brute! Stay well, you’re loved by millions,” another wrote.
“Thank you for clearing this up and stay strong!”
“Thinking of you Sam, thanks for being an inspiration to so many. Wonderful news about your fabulous book!”
Neill’s illustrious career spans more than 50 years and encompasses prominent roles in both dramas and blockbusters. Renowned as an “international leading man”, he is widely recognised as one of the most adaptable actors of his generation.
Following his breakthrough performance came in the 1977 movie Sleeping Dogs, Neill went on to take on leading roles in films such as My Brilliant Career (1979), Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981), A Cry in the Dark (1988), Dead Calm (1989), The Hunt For Red October (1990), The Piano (1993), and In the Mouth of Madness (1994). Neill gained global acclaim for his portrayal of Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993), a character he reprised in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022).