Weeks before his death, Sam Neill attended ARIA Hall of Fame Awards in Sydney
Los Angeles, July 13
Veteran actor Sam Neill made his final public appearance just weeks before his death, when he attended the 2026 Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame Awards in Sydney, according to PEOPLE.
The 'Jurassic Park' star died on July 13 at the age of 78, with his family confirming that his death was "sudden and unexpected."
Neill was seen smiling in a selfie shared on Instagram on June 11 during the awards ceremony. He attended the event to celebrate Australian singer and actress Kate Ceberano, who was among those honoured at the ceremony.
The actor also shared behind-the-scenes pictures with Australian music duo Vika and Linda Bull, singer-songwriter Jenny Morris and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Sharing moments from the event on Instagram, Neill wrote, "ARIA HALL of FAME awards! Great night in Sydney. Four women I have idolised for decades were honoured. JENNY MORRIS, KATE CEBERANO and VIKA and LINDA BULL."
Take a look
He added, "Jenny was inducted [in] the Hall by no less than our former [New Zealand Prime Minister] JACINDA ARDERN."
"Another hero," Neill wrote while referring to Ardern.
On the same day, Neill also posted a video from his farm where he was seen harvesting olives. "Harvesting our olives this week. Very small crop this year. Not sure why," he captioned the video.
His family announced his death on Instagram on Monday, saying, "Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life. The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care. More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss."
According to PEOPLE, Neill was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare blood cancer, in 2022. He revealed in 2023 that he was in remission.
Just days after attending the ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, Neill also shared that he had received a Silver Logie nomination for Best Actor for his performance in the legal drama The Twelve Season 3.
In his June 21 Instagram post, he wrote, "Very happy to receive a SILVER LOGIE nomination today. The Twelve S3. Many thanks to so many... another day ... but for now a wonderful cast and crew."
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's so unexpected. He looked so healthy and happy in those selfies and behind-the-scenes pics. Life is fragile, yaar. My deepest condolences to his family. He was a true artist who touched so many hearts across the world.
Sam Neill was such a versatile actor. From Jurassic Park to Peaky Blinders, he always delivered. It's lovely that his final public moments were spent celebrating music and his heroes. The selfie with the ARIA Hall of Fame inductees and Jacinda Ardern is so wholesome. Om Shanti. 🌸
I remember reading about his cancer battle in 2023 and how he was in remission. It's shocking that this happened now. But the way his family announced it—surrounded by family, cancer-free, with dignity—is so touching. A true class act till the end. Also, harvesting olives at his farm days before? Living his best life. 💔
Such sad news. But I've got a small criticism: the article mentions he was 'cancer free' at the time of death—then what was sudden and unexpected? Was it a heart attack or something else? I hope the family shares more details when they're ready. Either way, RIP to a legend who made my childhood awesome with Jurassic Park. 🦕
The fact that he posted about harvesting olives just days before his passing is so poetic. Living life simply, surrounded by nature and family. He didn't know it was his last post, but somehow it feels like a beautiful farewell. Also, the Silver Logie nomination for The Twelve? Pure recognition of
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