Sam Neill\u2019s friends, peers and admirers have rushed to pay tribute to the actor, after his sudden death on Monday at the age of 78.<\/p>\n
Australian director Phillip Noyce, who directed Neill in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm alongside Nicole Kidman, told the Guardian: \u201cSam was perhaps the most gentlemanly actor \u200bI ever encountered. Level-headed and sincere in a show business world of crazy egos. His word was his contract.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u200bIn a strange way Sam was responsible for my long career in Hollywood. When there were rumours that George Miller might have secretly directed Dead Calm, Sam assured the American producer\u200b, Mace Neufeld\u200b, that I was indeed the director \u2013\u200b and Mace then signed me to direct Harrison Ford in Patriot Games,\u201d Noyce added.<\/p>\n
Actor Magda Szubanski, a friend who Neill once named one of his ducks after, said she was \u201cabsolutely shocked\u201d by his death.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I spoke to him not long ago, he was cancer-free and really happy and excited about life, so this is just devastating,\u201d she said. \u201cHe was just a one-off. Just such a talented, classy, beautiful, wry, warm human being.\u201d<\/p>\n
Actor David Wenham said that \u201caside from being an international all-round legend\u201d, Neill was \u201cthe kindest, cheekiest, most generous and supportive friend going around\u201d.<\/p>\n
The New Zealand<\/a> prime minister, Christopher Luxon, said Neill was one of the greats.<\/p>\n \u201cHe started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of,\u201d Luxon said in a social media post. \u201cFor more than 50 years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today \u2013 one of our greatest cultural exports. His work will be watched and loved long after all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the actor, writing on X: \u201cSam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts. Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance. He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam Neill with Nicole Kidman in Phillip Noyce\u2019s 1989 thriller Dead Calm. Photograph: Sportsphoto\/Allstar<\/p>\n Novelist Kathy Lette said Neill\u2019s unexpected death was heartbreaking: \u201cSam was not just a wonderful actor but also the most charming, kind, intelligent and deliciously self-deprecating friend. His wry, dry humour and mischievous twinkle lit up our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n