Gillian Armstrong remembers Sam Neill: ‘I can’t believe that the very next day he was gone’
Armstrong reflects on Neill’s career, their personal interactions, and his memoir, expressing shock at his sudden passing.
Australian director Gillian Armstrong has issued a public tribute to actor Sam Neill, who died shortly after completing cancer treatment. Armstrong, who cast Neill in his breakthrough role in the 1979 film My Brilliant Career, described him as a smart, gentle, decent, passionate, loyal, and surprisingly funny man. She expressed shock at the suddenness of his passing, noting that he had just finished his treatments and was finally free before he died.
Armstrong reflected on Neill’s career trajectory, from his early work in Australia to international stardom. She acknowledged the impact of his role in Jurassic Park, noting that even her grandson knows him as the man with the dinosaurs. She also praised his performance as a sly, handsome, grey-haired lawyer in The Twelve. Armstrong credited Steven Spielberg for thanking her and other directors for first casting Neill and showing him to the world.
The director recalled personal interactions with Neill, including a recent FaceTime call where she saw his bald head and heard his laugh, unaware at the time that he had received a cancer diagnosis. She also mentioned that Neill had sent her pieces of his memoir for her to check over while he was writing it. Armstrong noted that he used the impetus of his illness to write the book, which she described as a well-deserved hit.
Armstrong shared anecdotes from their past, including a screening of the restored print of My Brilliant Career in Launceston eight years ago. Neill had attended the event to promote his wine brand, Two Paddocks, and later watched the film with the audience, sending himself up. She also recalled watching the 2019 Australian election coverage with Neill, who was proud of politician Laura Tingle and was seen texting her during the broadcast.
The director highlighted a New York Times essay by Carrie Rickey, which described Neill as a male lust object in My Brilliant Career. Armstrong found this perspective amusing in retrospect, noting that she had unconsciously made him a lust object through her direction. She also remembered a moment from The Assembly interview where Neill teared up when asked about his parents, prompting a personal reflection from Armstrong about his childhood.
Armstrong concluded her tribute by mentioning that she and others finally opened a 1998 bottle of Neill’s Pinot Noir to make a toast in his memory. She thanked him for being Harry and Sam, and expressed her love and best wishes to his family. The tribute underscores the deep respect and affection Armstrong holds for Neill, both as a colleague and a friend.