Sam Neillwho is best known for his work in the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise, died on July 13 at the age of 78. The news of his death sent shockwaves throughout the film industry, with many people, including Anupam Kher, Karl Urban, the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, and others looking forward to remembering and celebrating his life. Amidst all this, one of his last interviews taken before his death has resurfaced online. At the time, the actor opened up about his work on the hit science fiction franchise, why he didn’t want to star in the ‘James Bond’ series, and his life in general.
One of Sam Neill’s last interviews
During his conversations with The Guardian, the actor got candid about his life as an actor, his latest work, what it was like for him in ‘Jurassic Park’, and more. During the interview, the actor answered some questions asked by fans, which included details about his role in The Piano as a “baddie.”The question read, “Do you enjoy playing the baddie, like you did in The Piano?” , to which the actor responded playfully by saying, “Yes. I like to think that, in life, I’m a good person, so the chance to play a baddie would be really fun. I like playing Major Campbell in Peaky Blinders because he has a sad dimension, so I sympathize with him.“
Sam Neill on what he enjoyed in ‘Jurassic Park’
Neill was asked to compare ‘Jurassic Park’ to ‘Dead Calm’ while also sharing what it’s like to work with CGI. The actor shared that during its time, the science fiction film had a lot of help and that many of the dinosaurs featured in the film were handled by real people.He shared, “In Jurassic Park, there is a lot to see – huge puppet creatures built by Stan Winston. CGI was coming into its own, while animatronics were reaching their peak. It’s a great combination – you think the puppets are because of the CGI, and the CGI is because of the puppets.” He also shared a funny note at the time, referring to one of the scenes where the Tyrannosaurus rex runs after breaking free from its cage.He recalled: “When he attacked the children through the sunroof of the truck in Jurassic Park, there were a lot of people operating on him. I was more worried about the T-rex than the kids. Sometimes he goes too far, gets hit by a truck, knocks out half a dozen teeth, and we have to stand up to the dinosaur dentist to fix his teeth.”
Why Sam Neill named his animals after fellow actors
The actor also explained the reason behind naming most of his farm animals after his fellow actors and co-stars. Neill manages his own farm, growing his own crops along with many farm animals. While explaining the naming process, Neill commented, “Sometimes it annoys people; sometimes it flatters them.” He added that Helena Bonham Carter, who is best known for her work in ‘Fight Club’ and the ‘Harry Potter’ film franchise, is very happy with her choice. He also named his pig Amy Adams, after the award-winning ‘Arrival’ actress, while his chicken shares the name of Hollywood icon and ‘X-Men’ star, Michael Fassbender.
About Sam Neill:
The beloved Hollywood icon has been active in the industry for over 5 decades and has over 150 acting credits to his name. From acclaimed TV shows to big budget films, from comedy to action, Neill is known to his peers and fans as a versatile and talented actor.In 2022, after being diagnosed with stage three blood cancer, the actor did not stop his efforts. While undergoing chemotherapy, the actor began writing notes and stories to leave with his family in case something happened to him. What started as a way for him to keep his spirits up and face fear became one of his most valuable achievements. In March 2023, the star published his stories under his own memoir, titled ‘Did I Ever Tell You This?’ Earlier this year, Neill confirmed that after switching to immunotherapy, his body is free of cancer, and he is in remission.His family took to his Instagram account to share the news that the veteran star had passed away. They wrote, “It is with great sadness that the family of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday July 13, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed on with the dignity that characterized his entire life. The loss was sudden and unexpected, but blessed by the fact that Sam remains cancer free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their exceptional care.His family also confirmed that at the time of his death, the cancer had not returned, and that he was in remission, having been cured at the time.