‘He annotated my letter from Spielberg’: readers pay tribute to Sam Neill

I bloody loved Sam Neill. I first saw him in Reilly: Ace of Spies, and even as a kid, I recognised his quality. For me, he was always the best thing in whatever he was in. To do that consistently over decades is some achievement. You could see the twinkle when he was being Sam. He might have taken his work seriously; I never felt he took himself seriously. That made him very lovable. Shirley, 55, West Yorkshire

‘His lockdown videos felt like the joyful release we needed’

A lasting memory for me of Sam Neill was the version of himself he presented in lockdown. Perhaps his truest self. His gently amusing videos, along with his social commentary at that time, felt like the joyful release so many of us needed. Most joyful of all was the continued “banter” he would share with his on-screen colleague, and clearly dear friend, Jeff Goldblum. I would take one of my state-sanctioned walks at that time and pass two prominent oak trees leaning in to each other. I chose to name them “Sam and Jeff”. I’ll take that same walk this evening and pay my respects to Sam Neill. A great actor and wonderful human. Paul, Chesterfield

‘He was unfailingly wonderful’

There have only been three famous deaths where I felt the need to contact my parents: Princess Diana, David Bowie and Sam Neill. Sam was unfailingly wonderful in everything he acted in. When my son was a preschooler, he knew he wanted to be a scientist after seeing Jurassic Park for the first time. We watched it as a family at least 50 times, and I still love that film today. My son didn’t become a palaeontologist, but he did become a scientist. Phil, 53, Wellington

‘Working on Peaky Blinders with Sam Neill was a dream come true’

The very first film I ever watched at the cinema was Jurassic Park, and it changed my life. It’s all I ever wanted to do from that moment on: make films and recreate the rollercoaster of emotions I’d felt during that screening. And I followed this passion for 20 years, studying it at uni and working a bunch of jobs while I tried to get into the industry (which eventually led to one of my first running jobs, on Peaky Blinders, working with Sam Neill for four months).

What Sam didn’t know was that I was so obsessed with Jurassic Park as an eight-year-old and that I’d written to Steven Spielberg to ask if I could help out on any of his upcoming films. And I’d actually received a letter back from Amblin Entertainment, which I kept framed for all those years. On the last day of the shoot, when Sam had finished filming, I brought the letter I’d sent to Spielberg 20 years before, and he signed it“Sam Neill was there”, which I think, underneath it all, probably sums up the type of guy he was. We got a picture too, which is something I never do with cast or crew, but this one felt like I had to do it – to honour that childhood dream. I could have probably retired happy at that point, but 10 years on, I’m still making films. Matt, 40, Manchester

‘Thank you for your support of all New Zealanders – not just the elite few’

Dear Sam, I was never a fan … until a few years ago. I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it was that you were not “edgy” enough for my wishful desire to be seen as so. Your movies were not what motivated me to take an interest in your life and popularity, but your belief in social justice, the planet and what is ultimately right for the future of our country is incredibly admirable. Thank you for your wonderful writing in support of all New Zealanders and not just for the elite few. Nina*, Christchurch, NZ

‘He was just excellent in his craft’

I started in the film business in 1974 and met Sam Neill in 1980 when I was the second assistant director on the film Omen III: The Final Conflict – an early film in his brilliant career. He was easy to work with and just excellent in his craft. At the time, we knew James Mason was influential in his career, and at times I could close my eyes and hear Mason’s influence as Sam spoke. Chris Newman, 71, London

“I have happy and cherished memories of his superb acting’

In early 1980, I went on a date with a young woman, which started with going to a cinema to see the Australian film My Brilliant Career. Sam Neill and Judy Davis’s performances in the lead roles were totally absorbing. It was the easiest thing in the world to suspend disbelief as the film unfolded before us on the silver screen as Sam and Judy brought their characters to life. That young woman who accompanied me to that filmic masterpiece accepted my proposal of marriage later in 1980, and we raised four beautiful children together. When I heard the news of Sam Neill’s death I was instantly transported back 46 years to a host of unforgettable, happy and cherished memories of his superb acting, not just in My Brilliant Career but in all the many subsequent roles in film and television I was privileged to see, such as Jurassic Park, Reilly: Ace of Spies, The Hunt for Red October, Peaky Blinders and The Twelve. RIP Sam Neill. Anthony Negus, 69, Bedford, Australia

‘An incredible actor and a true gentleman’

I am a musician and about 15 years ago I played at a birthday party for Sam Neill in W?naka. He was an exceedingly warm and welcoming host and raved about our performance. About a week later, the whole band received a case of Two Paddocks [Sam Neill’s wine] delivered to our individual doorsteps. There were 12 of us in the group. An incredible actor and a true gentleman. Lucien, 45, Wellington

*Name has been changed