Sam Neill Gave Promising Remission Update Months Before His Sudden Death at 78 in Heartbreaking Resurfaced Interview: 'There Is No Cancer in My Body'

Just months before his death at age 78, Sam Neill shared the uplifting news that doctors could no longer detect cancer in his body following a yearslong battle with a rare form of blood cancer.

The beloved Jurassic Park star's emotional words have resurfaced after his family announced he died suddenly while remaining cancer-free.

Neill first revealed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Speaking with Australia's 7NEWS in April, the actor reflected on the difficult road to recovery after chemotherapy eventually stopped working.

"I've been living with a particular type of lymphoma for about five years, and I was on chemotherapy and the pretty miserable business, but it was keeping me alive," he explained.

After chemotherapy failed, Neill underwent CAR T-cell therapy, an advanced immunotherapy treatment that ultimately put his cancer into remission.

"I was at a loss, and it looked like I was on the way out, which wasn't ideal obviously," he admitted before sharing the breakthrough news: "I've just had a scan just now, and there is no cancer in my body, that's an extraordinary thing."

Neill first noticed swollen glands while promoting Jurassic World Dominion, with doctors initially believing he may have had an undetected case of COVID-19, per Today.

Further testing revealed Stage 3 blood cancer, a diagnosis he detailed in his 2023 memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?

"Within a few days, I was lying on a hospital bed having all kinds of chemicals draining into my system, killing everything aboard," he wrote. "For therapeutic reasons. To be cured of a thing I didn't know I had just a few days ago."

Throughout his cancer journey, Neill remained candid about his mortality while focusing on making the most of every day.

"I'm not afraid to die," he told The Guardian in 2023. "But it would annoy me. Because I'd really like another decade or two."

The actor also credited writing his memoir with helping him navigate treatment, saying it gave him "a reason to live" during some of his darkest days.

Reflecting on his journey, Neill said: "I can't pretend that the last year hasn't had its dark moments, but those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief... and have made me grateful for every day and immensely grateful for all my friends. Just pleased to be alive."

Neill's family confirmed the actor died on Monday, July 13, surrounded by loved ones.

"It is with immense sadness that the whānau [extended family] of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney, Australia," the family said in a statement. "Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life."

Calling the loss "sudden and unexpected," the family noted there was one small comfort amid their grief.

"The loss was sudden and unexpected, but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free," the statement continued.