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New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for ‘Jurassic Park' and ‘The Piano,' dies at 78
By The Associated Press at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· July 12, 2026
· 5 min read
Sam Neill, a smoothly elegant and versatile actor whose career moved from art film to blockbuster, as he dodged velociraptors in “Jurassic Park” to playing Holly Hunter’s husband in “The Piano,” has died. He was 78.
In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell ...
Key takeaway In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
San Francisco 's film community is likely to feel the loss of Sam Neill, given the city's thriving arts scene and strong connection to the film industry. Neill's iconic role in "Jurassic Park" may evoke memories of the city's own natural attractions, such as the de Young Museum's dinosaur exhibits or the California Academy of Sciences' prehistoric displays. The actor's passing also serves as a reminder of the many Australians who have made significant contributions to the global film industry, some of whom may have ties to San Francisco's own Australian expat community. As fans and colleagues pay tribute to Neill's remarkable career, San Francisco's cinephiles may reflect on the enduring impact of his films, including "The Piano" and "Jurassic Park," which continue to be celebrated and studied in the city's film schools and festivals.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: parks ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Sam Neill, a smoothly elegant and versatile actor whose career moved from art film to blockbuster, as he dodged velociraptors in “Jurassic Park” to playing Holly Hunter’s husband in “The Piano,” has died. He was 78.
In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by The Associated Press at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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