Sam Neill reveals he recently underwent treatment for stage three blood cancer
Although Neill was recently declared cancer-free, the ordeal served as the inspiration for his new memoir Did I Ever Tell You This
Aux News Sam Neill
Actor Sam Neill, best known for his top-tier social media presence (and also as one of the chief performers of the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World franchise of films) announced today that he recently underwent treatment for stage three blood cancer. Per The Guardian, Neill delivered the news via his new memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This, which features in its opening chapter a segment in which Neill wrote, prior to treatment, that, “The thing is, I’m crook. Possibly dying. I may have to speed this up.” Neill has since been declared cancer-free, after more than a year of treatment, although he’ll apparently be on at least one anti-cancer drug for the rest of his life.
In fact, Neill’s book is a direct response to his diagnosis, having begun writing down vignettes from his life as a way to take his mind off of his treatment for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma—symptoms of which first began to appear during the press tour for Jurassic World: Dominion. In a recent interview, timed to the book’s release next week, Neill talked about how the process of writing helped focus him during some “dark moments”:
I never had any intention to write a book. But as I went on and kept writing, I realised it was actually sort of giving me a reason to live and I would go to bed thinking, “I’ll write about that tomorrow … that will entertain me.” And so it was a lifesaver really, because I couldn’t have gone through that with nothing to do, you know.
In addition to his Jurassic work, Neill recently popped up in 2022's Thor: Love And Thunder, while also appearing in TV miniseries The Twelve. Did I Ever Tell You This comes out next Tuesday.
12 Comments
Sam is, and always will be, a legend. I know Jurassic Park is his big breakout role – and he was perfect in it – but for me, an Aussie in rural NSW, his greatest role will always be as Cliff Buxton, pipe-smoking leader of the Parkes Radio Telescope in the beautiful, cosiest (and near-completely made-up) 2000 Working Dog Productions film The Dish.Sam radiates dignity, gravitas, and genuine leadership overseeing a pack of galahs – including the late, great Tom Long, who died of blood cancer back in 2020. If you haven’t watched it, do so. Please. It’s got heart, sheep, cricket played on astronomy equipment, prime Parkes lamb, and the finest rendition of the American National Anthem ever:
I haven’t seen The Dish in an eternity and the sound chip is fried on my computer. I still remember it was the theme from Hawaii Five-O, though wasn’t it?
Yes! “Sometimes we wish it was.”I regret not going down to Parkes for the 50th Anniversary – where they screened it at the Dish itself. Ken Keith informs me that there’s still some maggot taxis around it, as is tradition:
Also:
Love that you can hear his goats bleating in the background.
Love that movie so much. I was lucky enough to see it at the cinema when it came out.
Honestly, it’s a true classic. It’s one of the few modern Aussie films I’ll happily watch (ie, it doesn’t feel like everyone’s got one eye on the door, looking for the next flight to Hollywood).It nails the small Aussie town feel, too.
It’s not the Lovecraftian terror Sam deserves, but it will have to do:Barfo was a powerful wizard, known throughout the land as the Master of Emesis. His ability to induce vomiting in his enemies had earned him both admiration and fear from those around him. He lived alone in a remote tower, where he spent his days concocting powerful potions and practicing his craft.One day, Barfo received a message from Commander Sawdust, a feared warrior from a neighboring kingdom. Sawdust had heard of Barfo’s reputation and sought to challenge him to a battle of magic.Despite his reservations, Barfo agreed to meet with Commander Sawdust. He set out on the long journey to Sawdust’s fortress, knowing that he could be walking into a dangerous situation.Upon his arrival, Barfo was greeted by Commander Sawdust and his army of soldiers. Sawdust explained that he had heard of Barfo’s power and wanted to see it for himself. He challenged Barfo to a duel, with the winner taking control of the land.Barfo agreed to the challenge, knowing that his abilities were formidable. But as the battle began, he realized that he was up against a worthy opponent. Sawdust had the ability to cover ejecta with sawdust, rendering Barfo’s powers useless.The battle was intense, with both sides fighting with all their might. Barfo used every trick in his book, but Sawdust was always one step ahead, using his sawdust to cover any ejecta that Barfo induced.In the end, Sawdust emerged victorious, having outsmarted Barfo and proven himself to be a worthy opponent. Barfo retreated back to his tower, defeated and humiliated.As he reflected on his defeat, Barfo realized that he had been too reliant on his powers. He resolved to study harder and learn new ways to defeat his enemies, both magical and non-magical.And so Barfo, the Master of Emesis, continued his studies, knowing that he had much to learn before he could face an opponent like Commander Sawdust again without choking.
This sucks.
This guy has won out over dinos, so cancer? Pshaw, not a chance! (And glad he made it through!)
Sam Neill’s archnemesis:
Bless this man. The Mouth Of Madness is one of my all time favorites.