Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway announced the death of the Hollywood star on Monday morning’s ITV programme.
Tributes have been paid to the Jurassic Park star (Image: Getty Images)
Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway announced the breaking news that Sam Neill had died.
The presenter, who was joined Susanna Reid and Ed Balls in the ITV daytime studio, shared the update in an emotional statement on Monday’s live show.
She said: “In breaking news in the last few minutes, the family of actor Sam Neill have confirmed that he’s died.”
Kate read out the statement issued by his family, saying: “They said it was with immense sadness that the extended family of Sam Neill share the news of his passing in Sydney, Australia.
“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free,” reports the Mirror.
Kate continued: “The 78-year-old was best known for his roles in Jurassic Park, Event Horizon, and his award-winning role, of course, in The Piano.”
Later in the programme, reporter Rishi Davda echoed the “sad news” of Sam’s death, paying tribute to the actor. He said: “Very sad news this morning, tributes are being paid to The Piano and Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill.”
He added: “Sam will be remembered by millions for his iconic role as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, the film that brought him international recognition.”
Award-winning actor Sam, who also appeared in popular productions such as Peaky Blinders, had publicly disclosed in 2023 that he had received a cancer diagnosis.
At the time, he described it as “a ferocious type of aggressive” non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He subsequently provided updates throughout his treatment and responded openly to his fans’ concerns.
Speaking to ABC’s Australian Story in October 2023, he said: “I’m not in any way frightened of dying. That doesn’t worry me. It’s never worried me from the beginning, but I would be annoyed.
“I’d be annoyed because there are things I still want to do. Very irritating, dying. But I’m not afraid of it.”
He also shared in a video message directly to fans: “I made a passing remark that the treatment I’m on, which has me in remission, will inevitably fail one day.
“It’s nothing to worry about. I’m in remission and plan to be in remission for many years to come.”
He continued: “At such time as it does fail, we’ll try something else. There are all sorts of things that are happening with cancer these days. It’s a whole new ball game.”
Sam concluded: “So please stop worrying, I’m getting a lot of messages on social media and from friends. Sorry to worry everybody – it’s all good, it’s all fine. It’s a beautiful day, I’m off to work.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
