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Sam Neill

Full / Real Name: Nigel John Dermot Neill
Born: 14 September 1947 (77 years old)
Gender: Male

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Bio

Sam Neill is an Irish-born New Zealand actor best known for his role as paleontologist Doctor Alan Grant in the blockbuster films Jurassic Park (1993) and Jurassic Park III, in 2001.

He has also had a number of high-profile roles including the lead in Reilly, Ace of Spies, the adult Damien in Omen III: The Final Conflict, Merlin in the miniseries Merlin, Captain Vasily Borodin in The Hunt for Red October, Colonel Geoffrey Brydon in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, and Alistair Stewart in The Piano.

In 2007 he played Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in Showtime's The Tudors and had a starring role in the short-lived science fiction television series Alcatraz, in 2012.

Since his New Zealand screen debut in Roger Donaldson's Sleeping Dogs and his breakthrough film role in My Brilliant Career opposite Judy Davis, Neill has appeared in over 80 film and television productions.

He has been awarded an Order of the British Empire for Services to Acting and a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Neill received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his title role in the miniseries Merlin. He also received Golden Globe nominations for his performance opposite Judy Davis in One Against the Wind and for his performance as British spy Sidney Reilly in Reilly: Ace of Spies, for which he also won a BAFTA Best Actor Award.

Other credits include Doctor Zhivago, To the Ends of the Earth, The Tudors, Crusoe and Jessica.

Neill is well known for his role in the award-winning film The Piano, which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination by the Australian Film Institute, and the blockbuster Jurassic Park.

Other film credits include Wimbledon, Dead Calm, The Horse Whisperer, The Dish, Event Horizon, A Cry in the Dark, Death in Brunswick and Evil Angels, for which he won an Australian Film Institute Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.

A student at the University of Canterbury and at Victoria University in Wellington, Neill received a degree in English literature. He gained early experience with New Zealand Players and other theater companies. He also worked with the New Zealand National Film Unit as a film director, editor and scriptwriter.

He produces outstanding Pinot Noir at his vineyard, Two Paddocks, and is an active proponent for the environment.

Neill lives in New Zealand.


Television Roles

Show

Character

Emerson Hauser

Merritt Grieves

Ted McCabe

Malloy

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey


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Reality show Kwanele Bazali begins on Mzansi Magic and Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind on E!.


New on TV today: Saturday 16 August 2025

Two wildlife docs air on Nat Geo Wild today: Dung Mafia and Heart of the Elephant.


On Carte Blanche: baking company accused of mixing toxic products and assault

Stir in sexual harassment and cook for an hour.


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New on TV today: Friday 15 August 2025

Slinky thriller Fatal Seduction returns for S2 on Netflix, as S3 gets into Sex, Knives & Liposuction.


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Sachin is heartbroken when Sayali and Paresh doubt him, but Tejas and Roshni enjoy seeing him suffer.


New on TV today: Thursday 14 August 2025

Returning shows include Match Me Abroad on TLC and Girl Meets Farm on Food Network.


Companion pack! New isiZulu-dubbed Bollywood channel Star Khanya

The 411 on the shows and times when the channel debuts on DStv and Openview.


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Kiraz is fighting for her life - but Erdal wants to finish what he started...


New on TV today: Wednesday 13 August 2025

Sci-fi horror Alien: Earth lands on Disney+ and Netflix sings Songs from the Hole.

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