Central News(Central News Sydney, 13th – Comprehensive Foreign Report) New Zealand-born actor Sam Neill has passed away at the age of 78. He was widely recognized for his iconic role as the paleontologist wearing a safari hat in the film 'Jurassic Park,' a character deeply embedded in the memories of moviegoers worldwide. The news has been met with profound grief and sorrow from fans and fellow film industry professionals.According to AFP and other media outlets, a statement from Sam Neill’s family confirmed that he passed away in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by loved ones, concluding his life’s journey with dignity. His passing came suddenly and unexpectedly, though thankfully he was free from the suffering of cancer at the time of his death.Reports indicate that Neill had been battling blood cancer, which had progressed to stage 3. After publicly sharing his journey through cancer treatment, he announced in April this year that he was cancer-free.Born in 1947 in Northern Ireland, Neill moved to New Zealand’s South Island during childhood. He began his acting career in New Zealand films in the early 1970s before transitioning to Australia, where he took on increasingly significant roles.In 1981, Neill first gained international attention, starring as the son of the devil in the classic horror film series 'Omen III: The Final Conflict.' That same year, he played the lead in Polish director Andrzej Żuławski’s cult film 'Possession.'In the mid-1980s, Neill was considered a contender to succeed British actor Roger Moore as James Bond in the '007' franchise. However, he ultimately lost the role to fellow British actor Timothy Dalton, missing a chance to become a global superstar.Nevertheless, Neill achieved a major breakthrough in 1993 when he starred as Dr. Alan Grant, the paleontologist, in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster Hollywood film 'Jurassic Park.' This role catapulted him to international fame.He reprised the role in the sequel films 'Jurassic Park 3' (2001) and 'Jurassic World: Dominion' (2022).A particularly cherished moment for fans was the reunion of the original 'Jurassic Park' trio—Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum—in 'Jurassic World: Dominion,' evoking powerful waves of nostalgia decades after the first film.Beyond the 'Jurassic Park' franchise, Neill appeared in films such as 'The Piano,' 'The Hunt for Red October,' 'Event Horizon,' and 'Bicentennial Man.'On television, he starred in series including 'The Tudors,' 'Peaky Blinders,' and 'Merlin’s Apprentice.'In terms of accolades, Neill received three Australian television awards during his lifetime, was nominated three times for the Golden Globe Awards, and twice for the Primetime Emmy Awards.In response to his passing, 'Jurassic World' director Colin Trevorrow posted a tribute, praising Neill as a deeply thoughtful and warm friend and collaborator whose strength touched everyone around him.New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed Neill as a cinematic giant who, over more than 50 years of acting, brought New Zealand stories to the world and helped elevate the nation’s film industry into a vital cultural export. (Translation: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150713