Sam Neill has died – the legendary Dr. Alan Grant from "Jurassic Park"

At the age of 78, the famous actor Sam Neill, known to millions of viewers around the world primarily for his roles in the "Jurassic Park" series and the series "Peaky Blinders", has died, reports SkyNews.

"It is with great sadness that the family of Sam Neill announces that he passed away on Monday, July 13, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by his family and left with the dignity that characterized him throughout his life. The loss is sudden and unexpected. The family expresses their deep appreciation to the team at St. Vincent's Hospital for their exceptional care and support," states the official announcement from his relatives.

It adds that further information will be provided at a later stage, and for the moment, the family asks the public and the media to respect their privacy. "On behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their right to privacy while they experience this immeasurable loss," the statement further says.

Sam Neill became a global star with the persona of Dr. Alan Grant – a paleontologist and dinosaur expert – in the cult classic "Jurassic Park" from 1993, directed by Steven Spielberg. His character is among the key figures in the original film, and the actor returned to this role in "Jurassic Park III" (2001), as well as years later in "Jurassic World: Dominion" (2022).

The actor's full name is Sir Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill. He was a New Zealand actor of Northern Irish descent, born on September 14, 1947, in the town of Omagh. In addition to his participation in "Jurassic Park", he is also remembered for his lead role in the film "Merlin".

In television, Neill left a strong mark with his portrayal of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in the historical series "The Tudors", where he recreated one of the most influential and controversial figures in the circle of the English King Henry VIII.