Sir Sam Neill's cause of death confirmed

Sir Sam Neill died from pneumonia earlier this week, his agent has confirmed, along with outlining details of a memorial service for the late actor. The New Zealand screen icon <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/13/kiwi-screen-legend-sir-sam-neill-dies-aged-78/" target="_blank">died on Monday at a hospital in Sydney, aged 78</a>. Neill's family announced his "sudden and unexpected" death on social media. On Thursday, Sir Sam's agent of 19 years, Philip Grenz sent a statement to 1News confirming the actor's cause of death,<i> </i>saying there had been several media stories containing "inaccuracies and outright falsehoods". "As Sam Neill’s longtime rep, I spoke with his family and wish to clarify some details for his fans," the statement read. "Sam passed away from pneumonia. Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/04/29/i-was-on-the-way-out-sir-sam-neill-says-hes-cancer-free/" target="_blank">beaten lymphoma</a> through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy. "In addition to running his award-winning winery, Two Paddocks, Sam had filmed four projects back-to-back during the past year, all of which will be released within the coming months. "As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honour him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand at a still-undetermined later date. "I’d like to thank those who were truly close to Sam for considering his privacy with the respect he earned and his loved ones need and deserve during this immeasurably difficult time." In lieu of flowers, Neill's whānau requested donations be made to one of the causes he championed, including the Dunstan Hospital Foundation, the Snowdome Foundation, or a New Zealand charity or fund supporting the country's wildlife. Near his home and winery in Central Otago, locals in Alexandra and Clyde have <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/14/a-regular-bloke-sir-sam-neill-mourned-in-central-otago/">described losing a "regular bloke"</a> and one of their own, with friends recalling his low profile around town and his support for local opposition to a proposed gold mine near Cromwell. <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/14/the-genuine-article-nzs-screen-community-remembers-sir-sam-neill/" target="_blank">New Zealand's screen community has also paid tribute</a>, with <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/15/you-are-so-loved-taika-waititi-remembers-dear-friend-sir-sam-neill/" target="_blank">directors Taika Waititi</a> and Roger Donaldson, co-star Julian Dennison, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh among those remembering an actor who never let his fame change him. Fellow actors and international figures including Steven Spielberg, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Nicole Kidman and Cillian Murphy <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/14/steven-spielberg-nicole-kidman-cillian-murphy-mourn-sam-neill/">have also mourned his loss</a>. Neill is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.