---
name: "Sam Neill"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sam-neill"
fi1m_id: "sam-neill"
imdb_id: "nm0000554"
tmdb_id: 4783
wikidata_id: "Q214309"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "14 September 1947"
died: "13 July 2026"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 16
updated: "2026-10-07T14:11:40.145424+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sam Neill

## Identity

Sam Neill

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sam-neill
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sam-neill
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000554
- **TMDB ID:** 4783
- **Wikidata ID:** Q214309
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Neill, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214309, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000554/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4783

Actor. Born 14 September 1947 in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, UK. Died 13 July 2026.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 14 September 1947, Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, UK
- **Died:** 13 July 2026
- **Active:** 1978–2025
- **Also known as:** 山姆·尼尔, 萨姆·尼尔, سم نیل, Nigel Neill, 山姆·尼爾, Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill, Nigel John Dermot Neill, Nigel James Dermot Samuel Neill
- **Frequently works with:** [Jeff Goldblum](https://film.one/person/jeff-goldblum.md), [Kathleen Kennedy](https://film.one/person/kathleen-kennedy.md), [Laura Dern](https://film.one/person/laura-dern.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 16 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 82 (1), 1980s 73 (1), 1990s 82 (4), 2000s 62 (2), 2010s 69 (5), 2020s 52 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 66 across 16 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 5 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 6 of 14 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Adventure 6, Action 5, Thriller 5, Comedy 4, Romance 4
- **Screen time:** 26 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,637m across 13 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Neill, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214309, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000554/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4783

## Coming up

- *The Fox* (2026-11-26), as The Magpie (voice)
- *Godzilla x Kong: Supernova* (2027-03-25)
- *The Legend of Zelda* (2027-04-28)

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Peaky Blinders*](https://film.one/tv/peaky-blinders.md) (77), [*UNTAMED*](https://film.one/tv/untamed.md) (58), [*Jurassic World Dominion*](https://film.one/film/jurassic-world-dominion.md) (42)
- **AMC+:** [*Jurassic Park*](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park.md) (91), [*Jurassic Park III*](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park-iii.md) (58)
- **Peacock:** [*Hunt for the Wilderpeople*](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md) (82)
- **HBO Max:** [*My Brilliant Career*](https://film.one/film/my-brilliant-career.md) (82)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Dead Calm*](https://film.one/film/dead-calm.md) (73)
- **Disney+:** [*The Commuter*](https://film.one/film/the-commuter.md) (71)
- **Tubi:** [*The Horse Whisperer*](https://film.one/film/the-horse-whisperer.md) (68)
- **Hulu:** [*The Tudors*](https://film.one/tv/the-tudors.md) (65)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*A Long Way Down*](https://film.one/film/a-long-way-down.md) (40)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Sam Neill

> Sam Neill makes authority convincing, then shows how easily it can fail. We value his dry humour and his willingness to let other actors matter; the danger is casting him merely to make weak material look dependable.

Sam Neill often plays the man everyone expects to have an answer. His scientists and officers seem composed enough to be trusted, and the strain matters because he does not announce it at once. We warmed to his Alan Grant in *Jurassic Park* (1993), because he made the scientist's competence reassuring without pretending the man was invulnerable. For Steven Spielberg, that grounded presence made the effects easier to believe. Neill gives us someone to worry about without making a great display of asking for our concern.

The move from *Sleeping Dogs* (1977) to the television lead in *Reilly, Ace of Spies* (1983) established him internationally before *Jurassic Park* brought global recognition. That same year, Jane Campion's *The Piano* (1993) used his authority less comfortingly, with Neill playing the controlling Alisdair Stewart. Horror parts in *Possession* (1981) and *In the Mouth of Madness* (1994) allowed a more eccentric, less composed actor to emerge. Later, Taika Waititi's *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016) gave his dry comic timing useful work as Hec Faulkner. We rate that willingness to be difficult or funny more highly than the simple ability to look reliable.

*UNTAMED* (2025), in which he plays chief park ranger Paul Souter, is a useful check on choosing a programme for his presence alone. The mystery relies too heavily on familiar detours and forced turns, so the difficulty lies in the writing rather than any shortage of capable actors. Eric Bana and Lily Santiago make an engaging investigative pair, but the Yosemite scenery leaves a stronger impression than their case. We can see the appeal of spending time with this cast in this setting. It is not enough to make us recommend the series, however welcome Neill may be.

There are smaller limitations too: his American accent in *Jurassic Park* is not always consistent. More often, the reservation concerns what he is given to do, particularly when later blockbusters settle for using him as a dependable supporting presence. His unshowy approach serves female leads and younger co-stars well, allowing them space without making his restraint the point of the scene. Start with *Jurassic Park*, then try *The Piano* before deciding that reassurance is all he offers.

## Biography

Sam Neill was a New Zealand actor. Born in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, he moved with his family to New Zealand in 1954. He began his career in New Zealand theatre and film, making his feature debut in *Sleeping Dogs* (1977).

Neill appeared in numerous films including *My Brilliant Career* (1979), *Dead Calm* (1989), *The Hunt for Red October* (1990), *The Piano* (1993), and *Jurassic Park* (1993) as Dr Alan Grant, reprising the role in *Jurassic Park III* (2001) and *Jurassic World Dominion* (2022). On television he played Major Chester Campbell in *Peaky Blinders* (2013–2014) and starred in the miniseries *Merlin* (1998). His final screen role was as Paul Souter in the Netflix series *Untamed* (2025). He died in 2026.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (16)

- *UNTAMED* (2025), Fi1m 58, as Paul Souter — [page](https://film.one/tv/untamed.md)
- *Jurassic World Dominion* (2022), Fi1m 42, as Alan Grant — [page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-world-dominion.md)
- *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022), Fi1m 55, as Actor Odin — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md)
- *The Commuter* (2018), Fi1m 71, as Captain Hawthorne — [page](https://film.one/film/the-commuter.md)
- *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Actor Odin — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md)
- *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), Fi1m 82, as Hec — [page](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md)
- *A Long Way Down* (2014), Fi1m 40, as Chris Crichton — [page](https://film.one/film/a-long-way-down.md)
- *Peaky Blinders* (2013), Fi1m 77, as C.I. Chester Campbell — [page](https://film.one/tv/peaky-blinders.md)
- *The Tudors* (2007), Fi1m 65, as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-tudors.md)
- *Jurassic Park III* (2001), Fi1m 58, as Dr. Alan Grant — [page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park-iii.md)
- *The Horse Whisperer* (1998), Fi1m 68, as Robert MacLean — [page](https://film.one/film/the-horse-whisperer.md)
- *Jurassic Park* (1993), Fi1m 91, as Grant — [page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park.md)
- *The Piano* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Alisdair Stewart — [page](https://film.one/film/the-piano.md)
- *The Hunt for Red October* (1990), Fi1m 82, as Capt. 2nd Vasily Borodin — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunt-for-red-october.md)
- *Dead Calm* (1989), Fi1m 73, as John Ingram — [page](https://film.one/film/dead-calm.md)
- *My Brilliant Career* (1979), Fi1m 82, as Harry Beecham — [page](https://film.one/film/my-brilliant-career.md)

## Complete filmography (174)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Legend of Zelda* (2027), Actor
- *Godzilla x Kong: Supernova* (2027), Actor
- *The Fox* (2026), as The Magpie (voice)
- *UNTAMED* (2025), series, as Paul Souter — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/tv/untamed.md)
- *Apples Never Fall* (2024), series, as Stan Delaney
- *Bring Him to Me* (2023), as Frank
- *Scarygirl* (2023), as Dr. Maybee (voice)
- *The Portable Door* (2023), as Dennis Tanner
- *Assassin Club* (2023), as Caldwell
- *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022), as Actor Odin — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md)
- *The Twelve* (2022), series, as Brett Colby
- *Voice Activated* (2022), as Audiobook Narrator (voice)
- *Jurassic World Dominion* (2022), as Alan Grant — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-world-dominion.md)
- *Invasion* (2021), series, as Jim Bell Tyson
- *Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway* (2021), as Tommy Brock (voice)
- *Daisy Quokka: World's Scariest Animal* (2021), as Frankie Scales (voice)
- *Rams* (2020), as Colin
- *Lindy Chamberlain: The True Story* (2020), as Narrator (voice)
- *Sea Lions: Life By a Whisker* (2020), as Narrator (voice)
- *Ride Like a Girl* (2019), as Paddy Payne
- *Blackbird* (2019), as Tom
- *Palm Beach* (2019), as Leo
- *Flack* (2019), series, as Duncan Paulson
- *Peter Rabbit* (2018), as Mr. McGregor / Tommy Brock (voice)
- *Sweet Country* (2018), as Fred Smith
- *The Commuter* (2018), as Captain Hawthorne — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/the-commuter.md)
- *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017), as Actor Odin — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md)
- *Tommy's Honour* (2017), as Alexander Boothby
- *House of Bond* (2017), series, as Roland “Tiny” Rowland
- *Tutankhamun* (2016), series, as Lord Carnarvon
- *New Zealand: Earth's Mythical Islands* (2016), as Narrator (voice)
- *New Zealand: Earth's Mythical Islands* (2016), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), as Hec — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md)
- *And Then There Were None* (2015), series, as General John MacArthur
- *The Daughter* (2015), as Walter
- *MindGamers* (2015), as Kreutz
- *Backtrack* (2015), as Duncan Stewart
- *Odyssey sur les traces de Sam Neill* (2015), as God
- *The Dovekeepers* (2015), series, Actor
- *House of Hancock* (2015), series, as Lang Hancock
- *United Passions* (2014), as Joao Havelange
- *Old School* (2014), series, as Ted McCabe
- *A Long Way Down* (2014), as Chris Crichton — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/a-long-way-down.md)
- *The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box* (2013), as Otto Luger
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as Monogatron Leader (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Escape Plan* (2013), as Dr. Kyrie
- *Peaky Blinders* (2013), series, as C.I. Chester Campbell, Major Chester Campbell — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/peaky-blinders.md)
- *The Ordained* (2013), as Governor Michael Thomas Riley
- *Harry* (2013), series, as DSS Jim Stockton
- *The Vow* (2012), as Bill Thornton
- *Alcatraz* (2012), series, as Emerson Hauser
- *The Hunter* (2011), as Jack Mindy
- *The Dragon Pearl* (2011), as Chris Chase
- *Ice* (2011), as Anthony Kavanagh
- *Ice* (2011), series, as Anthony Kavanagh
- *Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole* (2010), as Allomere (voice)
- *Happy Town* (2010), series, as Merritt Grieves
- *Daybreakers* (2010), as Charles Bromley
- *Under the Mountain* (2009), as Mr. Jones
- *Iron Road* (2009), series, as Alfred Nichol
- *Skin* (2009), as Abraham Laing
- *Iron Road* (2009), as Alfred Nichol
- *In Her Skin* (2009), as Mr. Reid
- *The Man in the Hat* (2009), as Reader of Correspondence
- *Dean Spanley* (2008), as Dean Spanley
- *Crusoe* (2008), series, as Jeremiah Blackthorn
- *Verity Lambert: Drama Queen* (2008), as Narrator
- *The Pixar Story* (2007), as Alan Grant (archive footage)
- *The Tudors* (2007), series, as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-tudors.md)
- *Angel* (2007), as Théo
- *Two Twisted* (2006), series, as Mick
- *Irresistible* (2006), as Craig
- *Merlin's Apprentice* (2006), series, as Merlin
- *Voyage of the Nautilus* (2006), as Hubert Wilkins
- *The Triangle* (2005), series, as Eric Benerall
- *The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant* (2005), series, as Governor Arthur Phillip
- *Yes* (2005), as Anthony
- *Little Fish* (2005), as The Jockey
- *To the Ends of the Earth* (2005), series, as Mr. Prettiman
- *Gallipoli* (2005), as Narrator
- *Colin McCahon: I Am* (2004), as Narrator
- *Wimbledon* (2004), as Dennis Bradbury
- *The Brush-Off* (2004), Producer, Director
- *Jessica* (2004), series, Actor
- *Jessica* (2004), as Richard Runche
- *Stiff* (2004), as Lionel Merricks · Producer
- *Perfect Strangers* (2003), as Man
- *Doctor Zhivago* (2002), series, as Victor Ippolitovich Komarovsky
- *Dirty Deeds* (2002), as Ray
- *Framed* (2002), as Eddie Meyers
- *The Zookeeper* (2001), as Ludovic
- *SuperCroc* (2001), as narrator
- *Jurassic Park III* (2001), as Dr. Alan Grant — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park-iii.md)
- *Submerged* (2001), as Lt. Cmdr. Charles B. 'Swede' Momsen
- *The Magic Pudding* (2000), as Sam Sawnoff (voice)
- *The Dish* (2000), as Cliff Buxton - Dish Master
- *My Mother Frank* (2000), as Professor Mortlock
- *Sally Hemings: An American Scandal* (2000), as Thomas Jefferson
- *Sally Hemings: An American Scandal* (2000), series, as Thomas Jefferson
- *Bicentennial Man* (1999), as Sir
- *Molokai: The Story of Father Damien* (1999), as Prime Minister Gibson
- *The Games* (1998), series, as Citytrans World CEO
- *The Revengers' Comedies* (1998), as Henry Bell
- *Merlin* (1998), series, as Merlin
- *The Horse Whisperer* (1998), as Robert MacLean — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-horse-whisperer.md)
- *Event Horizon* (1997), as Weir
- *Snow White: A Tale of Terror* (1997), as Lord Friedrich Hoffman
- *The Rainbow Warrior* (1997), as Chief Inspector Alan Galbraith
- *Children of the Revolution* (1996), as David 'Dave' Hoyle, aka Agent 'Nine'
- *Victory* (1996), as Mr. Jones
- *In Cold Blood* (1996), series, as Agent Alvin Dewey
- *Restoration* (1995), as King Charles II
- *Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill* (1995), Narrator / Host, Director, Writer
- *In the Mouth of Madness* (1995), as John Trent
- *The Jungle Book* (1994), as Colonel Geofferey Brydon
- *Country Life* (1994), as Dr. Max Askey
- *Sirens* (1994), as Norman Lindsay
- *Split Enz: Spellbound* (1993), as Narrator
- *Jurassic Park* (1993), as Grant — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park.md)
- *The Piano* (1993), as Alisdair Stewart — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-piano.md)
- *Family Pictures* (1993), series, as David Eberlin
- *Hostage* (1992), as John Rennie
- *Memoirs of an Invisible Man* (1992), as David Jenkins
- *One Against the Wind* (1991), as Major James Leggatt, The Guards
- *Until the End of the World* (1991), as Eugene Fitzpatrick
- *Fever* (1991), as Elliot
- *Death in Brunswick* (1991), as Carl
- *Shadow of China* (1990), as TV Reporter
- *The Hunt for Red October* (1990), as Capt. 2nd Vasily Borodin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hunt-for-red-october.md)
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Molloy (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *The French Revolution* (1989), as Marquis de Lafayette
- *Dead Calm* (1989), as John Ingram — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/dead-calm.md)
- *Evil Angels* (1988), as Michael Chamberlain
- *Question of Faith* (1988), as Oscar Ogg
- *The Good Wife* (1987), as Neville Gifford
- *Amerika* (1987), series, as Colonel Andrei Denisov
- *For Love Alone* (1986), as James Quick
- *Strong Medicine* (1986), series, as Vince Lord
- *Strong Medicine* (1986), as Vince Lord
- *Kane & Abel* (1985), series, as William Lowell Kane
- *Plenty* (1985), as Lazar
- *Robbery Under Arms* (1985), as Capt. Starlight
- *The Blood of Others* (1984), as Bergman
- *The Country Girls* (1983), as Mr. Gentleman
- *Reilly: Ace of Spies* (1983), series, as Sidney Reilly
- *Enigma* (1982), as Dimitri Vasilikov
- *Attack Force Z* (1982), as Sergeant Costello
- *Ivanhoe* (1982), as Brian de Bois-Guilbert
- *From a Far Country* (1981), as Marian
- *Possession* (1981), as Mark
- *The Final Conflict* (1981), as Damien Thorn
- *Lucinda Brayford* (1980), series, as Tony Duff
- *The Journalist* (1979), as Rex
- *Just Out Of Reach* (1979), as Mike
- *My Brilliant Career* (1979), as Harry Beecham — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/my-brilliant-career.md)
- *On the Road with Red Mole* (1979), Director, Writer
- *Surf Sail* (1978), as Narrator (voice) · Director
- *Sleeping Dogs* (1978), as Smith
- *New Country - New People* (1978), Director
- *Flare - A Ski Trip* (1977), Director
- *The Governor* (1977), series, as Colonial Bachelor
- *Architect Athfield* (1977), Narrator, Director
- *The Sullivans* (1976), series, as Ben Dawson
- *Four Shorts on Architecture* (1975), as Narrator (voice) · Director, Writer, Editor
- *Ashes* (1975), as Priest
- *Landfall* (1975), as Eric
- *Phone* (1974), Director, Writer, Editor
- *The Sealhunters* (1973), Editor
- *Hunt's Duffer* (1973), as Bradley
- *The Water Cycle* (1972), as Hydro enthusiast
- *The City of No* (1971), as The neighbour
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as British Flier
- *The Last Resort*, as Gerard
- *Mystery Ride*, as Duncan Connelly

## Gallery

- ![Sam Neill as Grant in Jurassic Park (1993)](https://film.one/media/title/265/still-98e7a78c68d7.jpg) Sam Neill as Grant in *Jurassic Park* (1993) — Image via TMDB
- ![Sir Sam Neill, speaking at the 2022 Arts Foundation Icon Whakamana Hiranga Awards, at Government House in Wellington, NZ on 14 December 2022](https://film.one/media/person/43426/gallery-33235a8c25ad.jpg) Sir Sam Neill, speaking at the 2022 Arts Foundation Icon Whakamana Hiranga Awards, at Government House in Wellington, NZ on 14 December 2022 — New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General (Photo by Mark Tantrum/ http://marktantrum.com), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Sam_Neill_2022_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Sam_Neill_2022_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sam Neill](https://film.one/media/person/43426/gallery-15639c0c27ef.jpg) Sam Neill — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Neill](https://film.one/media/person/43426/gallery-d54bcfb887c9.jpg) Sam Neill — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Neill](https://film.one/media/person/43426/gallery-e66931260e61.jpg) Sam Neill — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Neill](https://film.one/media/person/43426/gallery-fcee0c219b08.jpg) Sam Neill — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Neill](https://film.one/media/person/43426/gallery-49d0fb14eea4.jpg) Sam Neill — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Neill](https://film.one/media/person/43426/gallery-b20880fb4690.jpg) Sam Neill — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 7 won

- Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit 2022: Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (won)
- Sitges Grand Honorary Award 2019: Sitges Grand Honorary Award (won)
- Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit 2007: Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (won)
- honorary degree 2002: honorary degree (won)
- honorary doctor of the University of Canterbury 2002: honorary doctor of the University of Canterbury (won)
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire 1991: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (won)
- AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role 1989: AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (won), for *Evil Angels*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sam-neill