Updated

Updated · The Guardian · Jul 16

Miranda Richardson Remembers Sam Neill Through 3 Films and a 2-Hour Pinot Noir Lesson

Updated

Updated · The Guardian · Jul 16

Miranda Richardson Remembers Sam Neill Through 3 Films and a 2-Hour Pinot Noir Lesson

Q: He died just weeks after announcing cancer remission. What happened in Sam Neill's final days?

Sam Neill died suddenly in Sydney on July 13 at 78, just weeks after saying he was in remission from cancer. He was cancer-free at the time of his death, and his agent later said the cause was pneumonia. In his final days, Neill had reportedly been “pretty sick for the last couple of weeks.” Those close to him said the long fight against angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and the chemotherapy, immunotherapy and CAR T-cell treatment used to beat it, had left his immune system badly weakened. His ex-partner Laura Tingle said his body had become exhausted after years of intensive treatment. Even so, family and friends said his death still felt sudden and unexpected. He died surrounded by family, who said he passed with dignity and stressed that the cancer had not returned. They also thanked staff at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney for his care. Until shortly before his death, Neill appeared upbeat and engaged with life. Friends said he was happy, excited about work and pleased to be cancer-free. His last known public appearance was on June 12 at the ARIA Hall of Fame in Sydney. He had also continued posting glimpses of farm life from Two Paddocks, the New Zealand vineyard and property he loved, showing him harvesting olives, spending time with animals and enjoying the routines that had become central to his life. He left several completed screen projects to be released posthumously.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 16

Miranda Richardson recalled Sam Neill as "handsome, cool and weirdly shy," saying his ease, lack of pretension and appetite for life made him someone whose approval mattered.
1998's "Merlin" gave her an early glimpse of Neill's winery ambitions when he shared a bottle over lunch and spoke about building Two Paddocks around pinot noir.
2015's "And Then There Were None" produced her favorite story: Richardson ignored Neill's advice to let his wine breathe for 2 hours, tasted it after 45 minutes, found it "filthy," then later admitted it became "completely delicious."
2020's "Rams" was their last project together, and she said Neill warmly praised her for spending time off exploring Australia rather than staying around the hotel.
Richardson said Neill's farm life, Covid-era social media following and calm attitude toward mortality reflected what she called a full life "to be celebrated."