parks
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Piano,' dies at 78, his family says
By Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 13, 2026
· 5 min read
Sam Neill, a smoothly elegant and versatile actor whose career moved from art film to blockbuster as he dodged velociraptors in “Jurassic Park” and played Holly Hunter’s husband in “The Piano,” has died. He was 78. In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymp...
Key takeaway In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
For residents of Piney Point Village , the passing of Sam Neill may evoke memories of visits to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where the wonders of paleontology and dinosaurs are on full display. Neill's iconic portrayal of Dr. Alan Grant in "Jurassic Park" brought the thrill of discovery to the big screen, and his character's expertise in the field of paleontology may have inspired some local students to pursue careers in science and research. The Houston area is home to a number of educational institutions and organizations that promote STEM education, and Neill's legacy may continue to motivate young people in Piney Point Village and beyond to explore the natural world and push the boundaries of human knowledge. As the community reflects on Neill's remarkable career, they may also appreciate the ways in which his work has contributed to a broader cultural appreciation for science and learning.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more The Piney Point stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering parks and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Sam Neill, a smoothly elegant and versatile actor whose career moved from art film to blockbuster as he dodged velociraptors in “Jurassic Park” and played Holly Hunter’s husband in “The Piano,” has died. He was 78. In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymp...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More parks →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter