Sam Neill, 78, remains one of New Zealand’s most recognisable screen figures, with a long acting career that has helped build a sizable personal fortune and notable property interests.
The Jurassic Park star has also developed a respected wine business, with celebrity wealth estimates often placing his net worth somewhere between $25 million and $28 million.
Beyond film and television, Neill is closely associated with Two Paddocks, his winery in Central Otago on New Zealand’s South Island.
He established Two Paddocks in 1993, and the label went on to earn particular acclaim for its Pinot Noir, a lightly spiced red wine well suited to the region’s climate.
Although Pinot Noir remains its signature, Two Paddocks has also built a strong reputation for producing high-quality Riesling.
What began as a modest five-acre planting has grown over the decades into a wider operation spanning four vineyard sites.
Sam Neill, 78, has built a successful career in film and television alongside a respected winery business, with his net worth estimated at between $25 million and $28 million
The New Zealand actor is closely linked to Two Paddocks, his winery in Central Otago on the South Island of New Zealand
Aside from his impressive vineyards, Neill owned the Redbank Farm, which housed a menagerie of animals, all playfully named after Hollywood stars.
In 2008, Neill admitted the business’ growth was only possible thanks to the money he was making in acting.
‘I’d like the vineyard to support me but I’m afraid it is the other way round. It is not a very economic business,’ Neill, who starred in over 100 film and TV productions during his decades-long career, told The West Australian.
However, Neill admitted the joy he gained from running the vineyard made it all worthwhile.
‘It is a ridiculously time- and money-consuming business,’ he said, adding: ‘I would not do it if it was not so satisfying and fun – and it gets me p*ssed once in a while.’
The Piano star also owned a home in Wellington, New Zealand.
In 2020, Neill offloaded his mansion in Double Bay, Sydney, for approximately $3.6million, via a virtual auction service.
He purchased the four-bedroom home in 1996 for $839,000 with then-wife Noriko Watanabe.
He opened Two Paddocks in 1993 and the winery quickly became renowned for its Pinot Noir- a lightly spiced red wine
Aside from his impressive vineyards, Neill owned the Redbank Farm, which housed a menagerie of animals, all playfully named after Hollywood stars
In 2008, Neill admitted the business’ growth was only possible thanks to the money he was making in acting
The double-fronted, two-storey Federation home featured an open space living and dining area that led out onto an outdoor terrace, as well as an expansive backyard and alfresco dining area.
Neill died in St. Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney on Monday.
Family described his death as ‘sudden and unexpected’ in a statement published on his Instagram page. The actor was previously diagnosed with a type of blood cancer.
‘It is with immense sadness that the whānau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13 July, in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,’ they said.
‘The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.
‘More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.’
In April, Neill – who is best known for playing Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise – announced tests had found he was cancer-free.
In an interview with Channel Seven, Neill detailed how close he came to death after chemotherapy stopped working. It was instead a costly, cutting-edge treatment that then prolonged his life.
In 2020, Neill offloaded his mansion in Double Bay, Sydney, for approximately $3.6million, via a virtual auction service
The double-fronted, two storey Federation home featured an open space living and dining area that led out onto an outdoor terrace, as well as an expansive backyard and alfresco dining area
Neill died in St. Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney on Monday. Family described his death as ‘sudden and unexpected’ in a statement published on his Instagram page. The actor was previously diagnosed with a type of blood cancer
Neill said: ‘I’ve been living with a particular type of lymphoma for about five years and I was on chemotherapy and it’s a pretty miserable business, but it was keeping me alive.
‘Then the chemo stopped working. I was at a loss and it looked like I was on the way out, which wasn’t ideal obviously.’
Neill underwent a special treatment called CAR T-cell therapy, which genetically modifies a patient’s own T-cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
Private treatment costs around $AUD540,000.
