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Actor Sam Neill expressed a simple wish for his legacy nearly a year before he died at age 78.<\/a> <\/p>\n The New Zealand star beloved for his leading role in the \u201cJurassic Park\u201d films said in an August 2025 interview with The Telegraph, published Wednesday,<\/a> that he wanted to be remembered for his kindness. Neill, reminiscing on mortality, said this wish was inspired by a painting he owned by Helena Bonham Carter\u2019s mother, Elena Propper de Callej\u00f3n.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a very sweet watercolor of a funny old thing in a flowery dress and bonnet,\u201d Neill said of the artwork. \u201cAt the bottom of the painting is an inscription: \u2018But she was kind\u2026\u2019 When I am no longer about, I hope someone will be able to say that about me.\u201d<\/p>\n Neill died suddenly Monday in Sydney, his family confirmed on Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n The actor announced<\/a> in April that he was in remission after five years of living with cancer due to a new cancer therapy. He battled Stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma<\/a>, a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Neill was in remission at the time of his conversation with The Telegraph. <\/p>\n After news of Neill\u2019s death spread, his collaborators remembered him for his talent and his kindness \u2014 just as he had hoped. Laura Dern, who played Dr. Ellie Sattler opposite Neill\u2019s Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg\u2019s \u201cJurassic Park,\u201d wrote<\/a>, Neill \u201cshowed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love always with the driest of wit.\u201d<\/p>\n She continued: \u201cHe was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr. Alan Grant.\u201d<\/p>\n His \u201cPeaky Blinders\u201d co-star Cillian Murphy remembered Neill as \u201cone of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors,\u201d while Nicole Kidman celebrated Neill as \u201cone of the greats.\u201d<\/p>\n Neill appeared in about 150 film and TV productions throughout his career. His notable credits include films \u201cThe Hunt for Red October,\u201d \u201cThe Piano\u201d and \u201cEvil Angels\u201d and shows \u201cThe Tudors\u201d and \u201cApples Never Fall.\u201d <\/p>\n For The Telegraph, Neill also discussed his humble upbringing, how he felt his acting career had been a \u201ccomplete fluke\u201d and his perspective on life amid his cancer battle. <\/p>\n \u201cI have had the odd brush with cancer, so every day is a bonus these days,\u201d he explained. \u201cLife lesson: never take a single day for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n