Remembering Sir Sam Neill: Reflecting on our conversation with a Kiwi legend

New Zealand is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved stars.

Sir Sam Neill, who died in Sydney on July 13 at the age of 78. His family described his passing as "sudden and unexpected", adding that he had remained cancer-free following his battle with a rare form of blood cancer. Tributes have since poured in from around the world, celebrating his remarkable career, generosity, humour and unwavering pride in being a New Zealander.

As we remember Sir Sam's extraordinary life and legacy, we're reflecting on the time he joined Jono and Ben on The Hits in 2023 to discuss his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?

At the time, Sir Sam spoke candidly about how the book came about during his cancer treatment. What began as a way to preserve stories for his children eventually grew into a memoir spanning hundreds of pages.

"I really didn't mean to write a book - that wasn't the intention," he told Jono and Ben.

"It just sort of turned into that eventually. I realised the stories I was collecting for my kids [turned into] 400 pages."

The memoir offered readers the same warmth, wit and honesty that made Sir Sam so beloved both on and off screen.

Photo / Supplied

One of the book's most surprising revelations was that "Sam Neill" wasn't actually his given name.

Born Nigel John Dermot Neill, he explained he had long felt his first name wasn't quite the right fit.

"[I have] the unfortunate first name of Nigel, which I realised very early on was the liability," he joked.

Explaining how he landed on "Sam", he said he liked the name because it sounded like the kind of cowboy character you'd find in a Western.

"That was a really very smart decision I made because Nigel's in diminishing supply. I don't know how many there are in New Zealand, but I'm sure they're all uncomfortable with it."

His trademark sense of humour was never far from the surface.

Despite starring in some of Hollywood's biggest films, including Jurassic Park, The Piano and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Sir Sam always remained grounded.

Much of his life was spent in Central Otago, where he built his beloved Two Paddocks winery and enjoyed the quieter side of life away from the spotlight.

"I've always chosen not to be a celebrity," he told Jono and Ben.

"[Becoming a celebrity] is very rewarding if you want to go that way. And you can, you know, people pay you a lot more to be in movies because you're a celebrity, but that never interested me at all."

Looking back, those words perfectly capture the man so many friends and colleagues are remembering today.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople co-star and close friend Rima Te Wiata remembered Sir Sam as "a very steady, peaceful, grounded man" and "very good energy to be around". She also revealed he had recently been unwell with pneumonia before his death. While his family said his passing was sudden, they noted he had remained cancer-free, something Sir Sam had announced publicly just months earlier.

In 2025, Sir Sam was honoured with the New Zealand Screen Legend Award, recognising a career that spanned more than five decades and made him one of the country's most celebrated actors. Yet for many Kiwis, he will be remembered just as much for his humility, humour, love of family and passion for Central Otago as for his performances on screen.

During our conversation, it was clear that what mattered most to him wasn't Hollywood fame, but storytelling, family and finding joy in the simple things.

We're incredibly grateful to have shared that chat with him.

Sir Sam Neill leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, as well as his four children and eight grandchildren. He will be remembered not only as a world-class actor, but as a proud Kiwi icon whose warmth, kindness and wit touched generations.

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