Sam Neill's extraordinary legacy extends far beyond his celebrated Hollywood career, with the beloved actor leaving behind a multimillion-dollar fortune, an acclaimed winery empire and an enviable property portfolio following his sudden death at the age of 78.
The Jurassic Park star, who died unexpectedly in Sydney on Monday, had an estimated net worth of between $25 million and $28 million after a career spanning more than five decades and over 100 film and television credits.
While millions knew him as Dr Alan Grant from the Jurassic Park franchise, those closest to Sam knew his greatest passion lay among the vines of Central Otago, where he created one of New Zealand's most respected wineries.
© Getty ImagesA dream that became an award-winning winery
Sam's main residence was Two Paddocks, his picturesque winery in New Zealand's Central Otago region on the South Island.
He founded the vineyard in 1993, beginning with just a modest five-acre planting before expanding it into four vineyard sites renowned for producing world-class Pinot Noir and highly regarded Riesling.
Although the winery became internationally acclaimed, Sam was candid that it was never a major money-maker.
© South China Morning Post via Get"I'd like the vineyard to support me but I'm afraid it is the other way round. It is not a very economic business," he told The West Australian in 2008.
Instead, he admitted his successful acting career had funded his passion project. "It is a ridiculously time- and money-consuming business," he said.
"I would not do it if it was not so satisfying and fun – and it gets me p***ed once in a while."
© Universal PicturesA peaceful life in New Zealand
Away from the cameras, Sam embraced country life on Redbank Farm, where he kept a menagerie of animals that he famously named after Hollywood stars.
He also owned a home in Wellington, while previously maintaining a residence in Sydney.
In 2020, the actor sold his elegant Federation-style mansion in Sydney's Double Bay for around AUD $3.6 million after purchasing the four-bedroom property with former wife Noriko Watanabe in 1996 for $839,000.
The two-storey home featured generous indoor-outdoor living spaces, landscaped gardens and an alfresco entertaining area.
© Getty ImagesHis final health battle
Sam's death came just months after he shared the uplifting news that he had been declared cancer-free following an extraordinary battle with a rare form of blood cancer.
Earlier this year, the actor revealed chemotherapy had stopped working, leaving him fearing the worst.
"I've been living with a particular type of lymphoma for about five years and I was on chemotherapy and it's a pretty miserable business, but it was keeping me alive," he told Australia's Channel Seven.
"Then the chemo stopped working. I was at a loss and it looked like I was on the way out, which wasn't ideal obviously."
He subsequently underwent CAR T-cell therapy, an advanced treatment that genetically modifies a patient's own immune cells to target and destroy cancer. The private treatment reportedly cost around AUD $540,000 and successfully put his cancer into remission.
© Getty ImagesFamily announce sudden loss
Sam died at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Sydney on Monday. His family announced the heartbreaking news in a statement shared on his official Instagram page.
"It is with immense sadness that the whānau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13 July, in Sydney, Australia," they wrote.
"Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.
"The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free.
"They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent's Private Hospital for their incredible care."
The statement concluded: "More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss."
