Actor Sam Neill, known for his role in the Jurassic Park saga, among other works, announced that he is being treated for a rare blood cancer at an advanced stage.

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper on the occasion of the publication, next Tuesday, of his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This?, the actor, 75, said that he was detected the disease a year ago while he was on the promotional tour for the film Jurassic World: Dominion.

Find out more

Interview.

Sam Neill: "Many kids have called me 'the dinosaur man' since Jurassic Park"

  • Writing: JAVIER ESTRADA

Sam Neill: "Many kids have called me 'the dinosaur man' since Jurassic Park"

Cinema.

A sterile euthanasia drama with Susan Sarandon and Sam Neill opens the San Sebastian Festival

  • Editor: LUIS MARTÍNEZ (Special Envoy)San Sebastián

A sterile euthanasia drama with Susan Sarandon and Sam Neill opens the San Sebastian Festival

"The thing is, I'm finished. Possibly dying", announces in the first chapter the actor -based in New Zealand- in the book where he reviews his long cart, life as a star and his rest on his farm in the oceanic country, among other topics.

Neill initially received chemotherapy, but when it began to fail, he embarked on a new anti-cancer drug that he will continue to receive monthly for the rest of his life, although he now claims to be cancer-free.

"I found myself with nothing to do ... And I'm used to working. I love working. I love being with people every day and enjoying company and friendship. And suddenly I was deprived of that. And I thought, 'What am I going to do?'" Neill said in the interview with the Australian version of The Guardian published today.

"I never intended to write a book. But as I went on and kept writing, I realized that he was actually giving me a reason to live and I went to bed thinking, 'I'll write about it tomorrow... That will entertain me,'" he said.

The actor, who during the confinement due to covid-19 caused a sensation on social networks with his friendly messages of encouragement and songs that he interprets with ukulele, is now preparing for the adaptation of the novel Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty, which will be filmed in Australia.

"I can't pretend that the last year hasn't had its dark moments ... But those dark moments put the light in a strong relief and have made me feel grateful for each day and immensely grateful for all my friends. Just glad to be alive," he told the doctor.

Born in Northern Ireland and living in New Zealand, Neill began acting in the 70s in a long career in which he has played more than 150 roles in films such as "The Hunt for Red October" and "The Man Who Whispered to Horses", although possibly his best known role is that of paleontologist Alan Grant in the "Jurassic Park" franchise.

According to The Trust Project criteria

Learn more

  • cinema