Actor extraordinaire and all round ripper bloke Sam Neill has provided an update on his health situation after he revealed he was battling stage three blood cancer. Cancer NSW defines a stage three cancer as when the “cancer is larger or has spread into nearby tissues or lymph nodes”.
The Kiwi took to Instagram late on Saturday night to post the video which has since been viewed over half a million times.
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“Hi I’m Sam Neill,” the 75-year-old began.
“Actor of sorts, vintner (author’s note: a vintner is someone who makes wine — don’t worry I had to Google it too), and an author as it happens.
“My news seems to be all over the news at the moment, and it’s sort of “Cancer ! Cancer! Cancer!” which is slightly tiresome because as you see I am alive and well and I have been in remission for eight months which feels really good.
“I’m alive and kicking and I’m going to work. I’m very happy to be going back to work.”
Neill then went on to talk about an upcoming project called Apples Never Fall, a TV miniseries he’ll be starring in.
He finished the video message by quipping “let’s not worry too much about “all that” because I’m fine. Okay!”
What a bloke.
Neill first wrote about the diagnosis in his memoir “Did I Ever Tell You This?” which is set to be released on March 21.
“The thing is, I’m crook. Possibly dying. I may have to speed this up,” Neill penned in the book’s opening chapter per the ABC.
He recently spoke to The Guardian at length about his health in an interviewed where he revealed he’ll be receiving chemotherapy for the remainder of his life despite being in remission.
“I found myself with nothing to do,” he said, explaining why he chose to begin writing the book while getting treatment for the late-stage blood cancer.
“I’m used to working. I love working. I love going to work.
“I love being with people every day and enjoying human company and friendship and all these things.
“Suddenly I was deprived of that. And I thought, ‘what am I going to do?”
The Hollywood leading ma is still a mainstay fixture of big ticket productions.
He recently starred in 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion, reprising his role as Dr. Alan Grant from the original series.
In his spare time, Neill runs vineyards in New Zealand’s Central Otago region.
“I can’t pretend that the last year hasn’t had its dark moments,” he continued, reflecting on his battle with cancer before going public with it.
“But those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief, you know, and have made me grateful for every day and immensely grateful for all my friends. Just pleased to be alive.”
We wish this absolute legend of nothing but the best.
