Highest rated as cast or director
Jurassic Park
1993
The Piano
1993
Reilly: Ace of Spies
1983 · 1 Season
Sweet Country
2018
Dean Spanley
2008
Biography
Sir Nigel John Dermot 'Sam' Neill (September 14, 1947 – July 13, 2026) was a New Zealand actor. His career included leading roles in both dramas and blockbusters. Considered an 'international leading man', he is regarded as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. Born in Northern Ireland to an English mother and New Zealand father, Neill moved to Christchurch with his family in 1954. He first achieved recognition with his appearance in the film Sleeping Dogs (1977), which he followed with leading roles in My Brilliant Career (1979), Omen III: The Final Conflict, Possession (both 1981), Evil Angels (1988), Dead Calm (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), The Piano (1993), and In the Mouth of Madness (1994). He came to international prominence as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park (1993), reprising the role in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Dominion (2022). Outside of film, Neill appeared in numerous television series in guest and recurring roles, including Reilly, Ace of Spies (1983), The Simpsons (1994), The Tudors (2007), Crusoe (2008–2010), Happy Town (2010), Alcatraz (2012), and Rick and Morty (2019). He also starred as the titular character in Merlin (1998) and Merlin's Apprentice (2006), and as Major Chester Campbell in the first two series of Peaky Blinders (2013–2014). He has presented and narrated several documentaries. Neill received the AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, the Longford Lyell Award, the New Zealand Film Award, and the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor. He also had three Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy nominations. He won the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor at the 2023 Logies. Neill passed away at age 78 on 13 July 2026, in Sydney, Australia. The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that he remained cancer free. Description above from the Wikipedia article Sam Neill, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Acted in 151
2020s
- 2027
- 2026
The Fox
The Magpie (voice)
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
Voice Activated
Audiobook Narrator (voice)
- 2021
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
Palm Beach
Leo
- 2018
- 2017
Tommy's Honour
Alexander Boothby
House of Bond
Roland “Tiny” Rowland · 2 episodes
- 2016
Tutankhamun
Lord Carnarvon · 4 episodes
- 2015
Odyssey sur les traces de Sam Neill
God
The Dovekeepers
TV
House of Hancock
Lang Hancock · 2 episodes
- 2014
- 2013
The Ordained
Governor Michael Thomas Riley
Harry
DSS Jim Stockton · 6 episodes
- 2012
- 2011
Ice
Anthony Kavanagh · 2 episodes
- 2010
2000s
- 2009
Under the Mountain
Mr. Jones
Iron Road
Alfred Nichol · 2 episodes
Iron Road
Alfred Nichol
The Man in the Hat
Reader of Correspondence
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
Two Twisted
Mick · 1 episode
Merlin's Apprentice
Merlin · 2 episodes
- 2005
The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant
Governor Arthur Phillip · 2 episodes
Little Fish
The Jockey
- 2004
Jessica
Richard Runche
Jessica
TV
Stiff
Lionel Merricks
- 2003
Perfect Strangers
Man
- 2002
Doctor Zhivago
Victor Ippolitovich Komarovsky · 3 episodes
- 2001
Submerged
Lt. Cmdr. Charles B. 'Swede' Momsen
- 2000
My Mother Frank
Professor Mortlock
Sally Hemings: An American Scandal
Thomas Jefferson
Sally Hemings: An American Scandal
Thomas Jefferson · 2 episodes
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
The Games
Citytrans World CEO · 1 episode
- 1997
The Rainbow Warrior
Chief Inspector Alan Galbraith
- 1996
Children of the Revolution
David 'Dave' Hoyle, aka Agent 'Nine'
Victory
Mr. Jones
In Cold Blood
Agent Alvin Dewey · 2 episodes
- 1995
- 1994
Country Life
Dr. Max Askey
- 1993
Family Pictures
David Eberlin · 2 episodes
- 1992
Hostage
John Rennie
- 1991
One Against the Wind
Major James Leggatt, The Guards
Fever
Elliot
Death in Brunswick
Carl
- 1990
Shadow of China
TV Reporter
1980s
- 1989
- 1988
Question of Faith
Oscar Ogg
- 1987
Amerika
Colonel Andrei Denisov · 7 episodes
- 1986
For Love Alone
James Quick
Strong Medicine
Vince Lord · 2 episodes
Strong Medicine
Vince Lord
- 1985
Kane & Abel
William Lowell Kane · 3 episodes
Plenty
Lazar
Robbery Under Arms
Capt. Starlight
- 1984
The Blood of Others
Bergman
- 1983
The Country Girls
Mr. Gentleman
- 1982
- 1981
From a Far Country
Marian
- 1980
Lucinda Brayford
Tony Duff · 4 episodes
1970s
- 1979
The Journalist
Rex
Just Out Of Reach
Mike
- 1978
Sleeping Dogs
Smith
- 1976
- 1975
Ashes
Priest
Landfall
Eric
- 1973
Hunt's Duffer
Bradley
- 1972
The Water Cycle
Hydro enthusiast
- 1971
The City of No
The neighbour
1950s
- 1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
British Flier · 1 episode
Directed 9
2000s
- 2004
The Brush-Off
Director
1990s
- 1995
Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill
Director
1970s
- 1979
On the Road with Red Mole
Director
- 1978
Surf Sail
Director
New Country - New People
Director
- 1977
Flare - A Ski Trip
Director
Architect Athfield
Director
- 1975
Four Shorts on Architecture
Director
- 1974
Phone
Director
Wrote 5
2010s
- 2015
The Odyssey (Two Paddocks)
Co-Writer
1990s
- 1995
Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill
Writer
1970s
- 1979
On the Road with Red Mole
Writer
- 1975
Four Shorts on Architecture
Writer
- 1974
Phone
Writer
Edited 3
1970s
- 1975
Four Shorts on Architecture
Editor
- 1974
Phone
Editor
- 1973
The Sealhunters
Editor
Produced 2
2000s
- 2004
The Brush-Off
Producer
Stiff
Producer
Appearances51
2020s
- 2025
Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke
Self
- 2024
T. REX
Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2022
Jurassic Greatest Moments: Jurassic Park to Jurassic World
Self
- 2021
Trial In The Outback: The Lindy Chamberlain Story
Self - Host · 3 episodes
The Real Hunt for Red October
Self · 2 episodes
Russell Howard Stands Up to the World
Self · 1 episode
- 2020
Lindy Chamberlain: The True Story
Narrator (voice)
Lindy Chamberlain: The True Story
Self - Narrator · 3 episodes
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
Anika Moa Unleashed
Self · 13 episodes
- 2017
Get Krack!n
Self · 1 episode
David Stratton: A Cinematic Life
Self
- 2016
New Zealand: Earth's Mythical Islands
Narrator (voice)
New Zealand: Earth's Mythical Islands
Narrator (voice) · 3 episodes
- 2015
The Odyssey (Two Paddocks)
Himself
Why Anzac with Sam Neill
Self
- 2013
River Deep, Mountain High: James Nesbitt in New Zealand
Self
Julia Zemiro's Home Delivery
Self · 1 episode
- 2011
The Story of Film: An Odyssey
Self · 1 episode
- 2010
The Making of Daybreakers
Self
2000s
- 2008
Verity Lambert: Drama Queen
Narrator
- 2007
- 2006
The Making of 'Event Horizon'
Self
Working with a Master: John Carpenter
Self
- 2005
New Zild - The Story of New Zealand English
Self
Gallipoli
Narrator
- 2004
Colin McCahon: I Am
Narrator
- 2001
The Making Of Jurassic Park III
Self
SuperCroc
narrator
Space
Himself · 6 episodes
- 2000
Inside The Living Daylights
Self (archival footage)
Numero Bruno
Self
1990s
- 1999
- 1997
Forgotten Silver
Self
- 1996
- 1995
Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill
Narrator / Host
- 1994
- 1993
Split Enz: Spellbound
Narrator
Inside 'The Piano'
Self
- 1990
Cowboys of Culture
Self
1970s
- 1978
Surf Sail
Narrator (voice)
- 1977
Architect Athfield
Narrator
- 1975
Four Shorts on Architecture
Narrator (voice)