Esteemed actor, Sam Neill, has expressed his profound discomfort with being unable to work while undergoing treatment for blood cancer, describing the experience as “unbearable”.

Neill recently shocked his legion of loyal fans when he disclosed details of his health battle in his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?

“I’ve been around for a long time and I love it and I love working with other actors and I like the atmosphere on set,” Neill told news.com.au.

“And to be away from it for a year was unbearable for me.

“So, to be feeling very well and to be back doing what I do best. I have another life as a winemaker and all that stuff, but the core of what I do is acting, and making a fool of myself, and to be back making a big fool of myself, feels like a real privilege.”

After concerns for the star’s well-being to grow after news broke of his health concerns, the Jurassic Park star took 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 I hope you enjoy it, and let’s not worry too much about ‘all that’ because I’m fine . Okay !”

 

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Neill’s impressive 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 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).