# Sam Neill had pneumonia before his death, co-star says, as tributes pour in

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-14 11:29 UTC · Category: Entertainment · Sources: 6 · Current Velocity: 7.96

## Executive Summary
Tributes flood in for acclaimed 'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill, who has died at age 78.

## Intelligence Brief
Actor Sam Neill has passed away at 78. A co-star revealed that the New Zealand actor had contracted pneumonia prior to his death, a health battle described by The Daily Beast as a "secret second" struggle.


Coverage from Variety, Fox News, and The Guardian highlights Neill's acclaimed career and the outpouring of tributes. Jane Campion remembered him as "radiating peace," while 'Jurassic Park' child stars noted his long-term support for them.


Further details regarding the circumstances of his death may emerge as more tributes are shared by former colleagues and collaborators.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### How old was Sam Neill when he died?
He was 78 years old.

### What health issue did he face before his death?
According to a co-star and Fox News, Neill contracted pneumonia.

### Who has paid tribute to the actor?
Tributes have come from Jane Campion and child stars from 'Jurassic Park'.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
Sam Neill, Star Dies, Jurassic Park, Secret Second Health Battle Revealed After His Death, Acclaimed New Zealand, Sam Neill He, Jane Campion

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Variety | Sam Neill’s Cause of Death Revealed | 2026-07-16 08:55 | [Source Link](https://variety.com/2026/film/global/sam-neill-cause-of-death-revealed-1236812285/) |
| Yahoo | Sam Neill’s Cancer Battle Left His Immune System ‘Compromised,’ Actor’s Ex Says: He Was ‘Pretty Sick for the Last Couple of Weeks’ | 2026-07-14 11:53 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxNYnppMVE0Q05LV1Rta0k3Y2w1SnBVY0FhZWg4bF9PTmdaX3FWQ3N3RXFPMG5odk52cm9BWTVNa25XNGpmNHlza1FUclVZTW95bXlramF0WUdmeFFBdDVLS3ZtWHNzTVd4a2pUcmdoU2RIQTBwY0pLT1owWHkxaWNpV09XZmlxSjMyYmpGRi1mNFVIUlJZbjJVN2JCMDlCaWc?oc=5) |
| Entertainment Weekly | Sam Neill’s ex shares details of his health in the final days before his death | 2026-07-14 11:53 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxPTlNhS3Q5OGg1UTFsZTdieTBRX3YxZ1hLTHBkQ1ZwejYzSy02SHdqM2tka2ZqSHpxQ3BIWExUZ2Y4NDBtMk9FUFZpTDZIdHVXREZRTXRhc2NlT25QQ3BjcW82aEUxQW1WNVRrV2ZLUHVpOGdycE9PTHFuZ1A0THkxZVQ4UFBNN3g4QUdTVk44eDZSRk0?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Sam Neill was ‘pretty sick’ in his final weeks, ex Laura Tingle says | 2026-07-14 11:53 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxOV3JTUjZuRGtfU3kzVVZrdW40cmNBM0NZYmpQd2Z6SkJkVTZuTC1QaHJ3YU01YkxZS0tudVhodUV1clpLMmFuOFoyZjZ5elpMTnp1Q0EzdXpxQnU0bS1QczRDYWo5aWxIUFF5NUZBeXVua0xlNHJMRjh4aHpIc05qeVc4Sk1nU0wyMTNtYzctQmFGXzJMdTBJa1kwOHFkQQ?oc=5) |
| The Daily Beast | Sam Neill’s Secret Second Health Battle Revealed After His Death | 2026-07-14 11:53 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxPaTQzWHlUb2JLeDA4MUdWZGRCeHlDdmNxX2JZUFZXVmE2ejlUZTZ2Vzc1bHg5VHBhVkRkOXFJazVkd2NCeEJhbkxWLUZ1cUEyNlBvOWtsbHFIZ3BlX1dNXzNVdDVpdGdPMzl4NE5VNGRJNU5XMnFWMDNlT2VHdjRnOWluT1pvd2thTXpHQk9MQ0VfQVBNSHlfRnd0NVJ4ekZzRFl6X3JR?oc=5) |
| Variety | Sam Neill, ‘Jurassic Park’ Star, Dies at 78 | 2026-07-14 11:53 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxPZEIyVE5qMUFQczRKRHp1YjhJZWRoR2RoQnhfSk1PdTZYcGVNV1NGV0phei00UGpRaElBZk5hRnJtMnNoSnJpYWFZWTdFRjNhRFlQaHBSSHZsWVI5TW5ETlc1WGZCTU9sbFpnbkRNeGRrQWJjTjctXzhpRC1tWWZpNXhuRUR1NmF1dU1tNFRUdUczZzZNWEJFTw?oc=5) |
| Fox News | Acclaimed New Zealand actor Sam Neill contracted pneumonia before he died, co-star says | 2026-07-14 11:53 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxQT2pIVEEyUVFpd2hSeUFobjc2ZENTT3ZUR2VHemdhWHhjazVUXzVJZFdTWE1JTlcwdkZFNEdhb1Job2ZSNThJck42M0F5TEVIU2swblRBQ2JodXcwVEJWUmdIX1pyQktUNkQ0MUNUZ3RReVFvV1pZaHJKYlQ4RWVmUlVwQTh0clc3czNsbXUzdmtNSnpacmQ2cnNZWENYUHlGRnRzekxUZWZreXNhX2o4bjlwZ3c2Q2VvTGZCM9IBwgFBVV95cUxNRUxpZzluYmlYcm55Qk9laW95RHFsdWZLbVB4aWxqTkE4alJWcnk0Mk5nSFdMT25VMlpsbXc0aml1UjRmNGFDX3lubzF4QTRhekh5MXFLQldfSHVsLVFLNGdOUm1YWF9DM0dJXy1NNFFhcWN6UjQ3Q05KYVltYjE2dE55WWlBb2VaM1MwRHgyNTdlVEVONDV) |
| Yahoo | 'Jurassic Park' child stars pay tribute to Sam Neill: 'He was still rooting for me 33 years later' | 2026-07-14 09:49 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi8AFBVV95cUxQbmtXd2IzTUJvZHlrYjVQZkNabzd3cG81aFlDVk1kQVFsOEplZ28tN05BZmtOeGdiQWpNbWptbmpCQVBmbHRGX0JJY3hVX1Z2emU1U0VXcU1uaFNja3MzVkVuNGNJTG1HRFNqYnY0OHl5WTlkZU1JRVdOWmdHREw3SEFYbm45QmhvRFJNZkoxX0hwYWlXcWQ4RVdHTFVXRmZlMEtfUHdfYm83MHI0WGRuMkxybTNwVU9kSWpiLUt2ZkRpa0lwTnNoR3laYzBCTEVrZ2VlbVVvdERuNFdHdG9TbmJ2YkxWMjRsVHdIOVJhZm8?oc=5) |
| The Guardian | Jane Campion remembers Sam Neill: ‘He was radiating peace, beaming love’ | 2026-07-14 09:49 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxOWjlwUnZFZko5NjVrQmQ5TTNNdGl5VUgtQ0gwSUt3U3RnTFV2cTh3RVhYT3VjSW42MXM5XzBaWjNvUG5zT29zYTZNak9BYjlPWDZfUXlUbDJDUWcwUGRhV3VxeTBZSXp6VEtSaEwwLThQZXFEbk1PRy1vTzJOWFp5NldSX0JDQU93a1I3YnpqV1M?oc=5) |

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