Gillian Armstrong Remembers Sam Neill's Passing

Director Gillian Armstrong expressed shock and sadness at the passing of actor Sam Neill, who she gave his breakthrough role in the 1979 film "My Brilliant Career." Armstrong recalled Neill as a "smart, gentle, decent, passionate, loyal, surprisingly funny man." She noted that Neill had recently completed cancer treatments and was declared cancer-free, making his sudden death on July 13, 2026, particularly unexpected.

Armstrong highlighted Neill's extensive acting career, spanning "so many films, so many roles," portraying characters that were "dashing, dry, evil, cheeky, damaged and very heroic." She mentioned that even younger generations recognize him, referencing his role in the "Jurassic Park" franchise. Armstrong also expressed her enjoyment of his performance as a "sly, handsome, grey-haired lawyer" in the 2022 Australian courtroom drama "The Twelve."

The director's tribute joins other heartfelt remembrances from across the industry, including a reflection from "The Piano" director Jane Campion. Sam Neill's final interviews and a retrospective of his life in pictures were also published following the news of his death. He had previously spoken about his health journey in interviews conducted in 2023, 2024, and as recently as April 11, 2026.