# Sam Neill has died **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2026, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635 "2026-07-13T06:00:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/41 "2026-07-13T22:13:35Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > To me. he’ll always be _ **Reilly, Ace of Spies** _, which more than makes up for the stupid miniseries _ **Ameяika.** _ I cannot tell a lie: after **Jurassic Park,** the next thing I think of when I hear “Sam Neill” is **Amerika**. Let’s not forget his memorable character in The Simpsons: Molloy. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sXbTEMX6gjU/hqdefault.jpg "The Simpsons: Find the treasure!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXbTEMX6gjU) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/42 "2026-07-13T22:38:14Z")
Neill was an actor who was excellent in everything he did. Rest well, good sir. I remember watching a film of his, from 1994, titled _Sirens_, in which he portrayed controversial artist Norman Lindsey. I will admit, I mostly wanted to watch the film because Elle Macpherson (a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model from the early '90s) played one of Lindsey’s models, and appeared naked, frequently, in it…but Neill’s portrayal was very good, all the same. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/43 "2026-07-13T22:55:28Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Let’s not forget his memorable character in The Simpsons: Molloy. I can’t help wondering how many people here recognize the movie that’s being parodied. I saw it at least a half dozen times with my dad and older brother when I was a wee lad back in the '60s. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/44 "2026-07-13T23:01:02Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I cannot tell a lie: after **Jurassic Park,** the next thing I think of when I hear “Sam Neill” is **Amerika**. Sam’s performance was actually the best thing in that miniseries. He was very good at playing Russians, as we could see in _ **The Hunt for Red October** _ and even _ **Reilly, Ace of Spies.** _ (Despite his adopted name/pseudonym, the real Sidney Reilly was a Russian Jew.) ---
**Author:** ![Meatwater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meatwater/32/20074_2.png) [@Meatwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatwater)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/45 "2026-07-14T00:12:51Z")
Sad I just saw him last week in a French movie about the Revolution of France from the 80s on YouTube. Watching the film you realize he doesn’t actually know French… bizarre casting choice. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/46 "2026-07-14T00:21:48Z")
> [@Meatwater](#): > > Watching the film you realize he doesn’t actually know French… Watching _ **Ameяika** _, it was pretty clear he didn’t know Russian either, but he still played Russians well. ---
**Author:** ![Meatwater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meatwater/32/20074_2.png) [@Meatwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatwater)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/47 "2026-07-14T00:25:45Z")
He played Marquis de Lafayette and I don’t think he was particularly good in it.. I haven’t seen _ **Ameяika** _ and I will add that one to a Sam Neill marathon I will undertake this weekend. Jurassic Park, Event Horizon, In The Mouth of Madness are a few favorites, naturally, any other recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/48 "2026-07-14T00:30:11Z")
How sad. I liked a lot of his works. Thank you, Sam Neill, for your good works. > [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Anyone who likes Sam, hell even anyone who doesn’t know his work, should watch _The Dish._ A charming little film about how a small town in Australia played an important role in the 1969 moon landing. > [@MrDibble](#): > > Great movie. > [@Askance](#): > > Yes, a good one! Very Australian but also relatable. > [@themapleleaf](#): > > Thanks for the tip, will check it out. > [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > “I would have liked to have seen Montana.” You just won the thread. A favorite movie of mine, but the book was way way better. > [@carrps](#): > > Loved this! Also recommended by me. Except for @Red_Wiggler’s quote, the rest of these are about _The Dish_ (2000). Count me as another who loves _The Dish_. A favorite of mine and my wife’s. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be available to stream anywhere. Very unfortunate! But fortunately we own the DVD, and it’s one DVD that we will never lend out. I really should burn a copy of it so that I’ve got a backup. If anyone finds where _The Dish_ is available please let us know! Maybe I can host a Dope Fest at the house to show this movie. I’m south of San Francisco, near San Jose. I’m speaking off the cuff right now and might be serious here. If you’re interested in this, PM me. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/49 "2026-07-14T00:33:19Z")
> [@Meatwater](#): > > I haven’t seen _ **Ameяika** _ and I will add that one to a Sam Neill marathon You realize, of course, that it was aired over a week in episodes around two hours long? On that basis alone, I don’t recommend it. Besides that, it was a pretty crappy show. I seem to recall switching it off about halfway through. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/50 "2026-07-14T00:33:26Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I cannot tell a lie: after **Jurassic Park,** the next thing I think of when I hear “Sam Neill” is **Amerika**. Not **Freaks and Geeks**? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/51 "2026-07-14T00:33:58Z")
> [@Meatwater](#): > > He played Marquis de Lafayette and I don’t think he was particularly good in it.. > > I haven’t seen _ **Ameяika** _ and I will add that one to a Sam Neill marathon I will undertake this weekend. Jurassic Park, Event Horizon, In The Mouth of Madness are a few favorites, naturally, any other recommendations? _Bicentennial Man._ ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/52 "2026-07-14T02:28:06Z")
I’m a bit further south, in San Luis Obispo, so I could be into this. I can also bring a copy of Children of the Revolution, which is another movie I don’t think you can find on streaming. How can a movie with _Geoffery Rush, Judy Davis, Richard Roxburgh, Sam Neill, F. Murray Abraham_ and _Rachel Griffiths_ be hard to find, FFS? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/53 "2026-07-14T03:20:04Z")
Here’s something weird and hijacky. On Saturday I walked in my city’s 250 celebration parade. Typical community stuff; school cheer teams and historical society members, yada, yada. For some reason that nobody around me could explain, there were a bunch of jeeps decorated with Jurassic Park logo and dino decorations. Some of the drivers were dressed as dinosaurs. Huh? I never had any interest in JP, but now I want to watch it, for Sam. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/54 "2026-07-14T03:58:06Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I never had any interest in JP, but now I want to watch it, for Sam. In terms of pure entertainment – in the spirit of what movies are really all about – _Jurassic Park_ seen on a big screen with a great sound system ranks up there as one of the best movies ever made! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/55 "2026-07-14T09:06:41Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > “I would have liked to have seen Montana.” On Instagram: Sam Neill as First Officer Vasily Borodin — “I would like to have seen Montana.” ➜ [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DavaHtMheaB](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DavaHtMheaB) ■ ← ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/56 "2026-07-14T09:37:50Z")
_The Piano_ was quite a good film, but Neill is notably overshadowed by his female colleagues. Still worth watching though. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/57 "2026-07-14T10:18:31Z")
From Sam Neill’s autobiography: [![](https://i.redd.it/wo05x6j5j0dh1.jpeg) ](https://i.redd.it/wo05x6j5j0dh1.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/58 "2026-07-14T12:58:42Z")
That sucks, I loved event horizon and in the mouth of madness ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/59 "2026-07-14T13:50:54Z")
Back in the late nineties, Dave Barry wrote in one of his columns about “New Zealanders spying on him through telephone plugs”. He was referring to a series of TV commercials Sam Neill did for MCI Worldcomm , like this one. One of Neill’s less-mentioned works in his obituaries > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGo4ypQek34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGo4ypQek34) > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1ApC-Zk0Rg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1ApC-Zk0Rg) > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDDaJ4u31-I](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDDaJ4u31-I) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2026, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635/60 "2026-07-17T00:29:43Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > “I would have liked to have seen Montana.” An opening scene of _Jurrasic Park_ shows Neill’s character at a fossil dig. I don’t recall if a location is given, but it would have been a clever tip of the cap if that scene was set in Montana. Does Montana have any fossils? I’ll mention a fun Sam Neill role I remember. I’ve posted here before about a great Australian series called _The Games_; a mockumentary about organizing the Sydney Olympics. Sam Neill is in one episode as the CEO of an American company that’s trying to get a contract to run transportation to all the events, which is about the only thing the organizers are doing well. One odd thing that series did was that all the characters had the same names as the actors. Neill’s character, however, isn’t given a name; he’s listed only as “Citytrans World CEO”. _The Games_ was co-written by, and co-starred Australian satirist John Clarke, whose “the front fell off” video went viral many years ago. Clarke and Neill met at university in New Zealand and stayed close friends for fifty years. Neill’s role in _The Games_ was after he was well established in Hollywood, and I assume was a favor for his friend. A Google search says that Clarke was Neill’s favorite person to work with on set. They also did a film together, _Death in Brunswick_ in 1990, but I haven’t seen it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-neill-has-died/1031635.md?page=4)