Sam Neill
Sam Neill
- Full name: Nigel Samuel Neill
- Date of birth: September 14, 1947
- Place of birth: Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
- Nationality: New Zealand
- Occupation: Actor, director, producer
- Years active: 1975–present
- Spouse(s): Lisa Harrow (1989–1991), Noriko Watanabe (2007–present)
- Children: Tim Neill, Elena Neill, Andrew Neill, Tamzin Neill
Biography
Sam Neill was born in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, to Priscilla Beatrice (née Ingham) and Dermot Neill, an English Army officer. His family moved to New Zealand when he was a child, and he attended Christ's College, Christchurch, and the University of Canterbury.
Neill began his acting career in New Zealand in the early 1970s, appearing in stage productions and television commercials. He made his film debut in 1975 in the New Zealand film "Sleeping Dogs". In 1977, he starred in the Australian film "My Brilliant Career", which brought him international attention.
Neill has since starred in a wide variety of films, including "Jurassic Park" (1993), "Schindler's List" (1993), "The Piano" (1993), "In the Mouth of Madness" (1995), "Event Horizon" (1997), "Bicentennial Man" (1999), "Jurassic Park III" (2001), "The Tudors" (2007–2010), "Peaky Blinders" (2013–2019), and "Jurassic World: Dominion" (2022).
Neill has also directed and produced several films, including "Cinema of Unease" (1985), "The Piano" (1993), and "The Daughter" (2015).
Neill has received numerous awards for his work, including two Academy Award nominations, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Emmy Awards.
Personal life
Neill was married to actress Lisa Harrow from 1989 to 1991. He has four children: Tim Neill, Elena Neill, Andrew Neill, and Tamzin Neill. In 2007, he married Noriko Watanabe, a Japanese make-up artist.
Neill is a keen golfer and a supporter of the New Zealand rugby union team. He is also a patron of the New Zealand Film Commission and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
