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Taking the story to the next level

Since his New Zealand screen debut in Roger Donaldson's Sleeping Dogs in 1978, and his breakthrough film role in My Brilliant Career opposite Judy Davis, Sam has appeared in over 80 film and television productions. A recipient of an Order of the British Empire for Services to Acting and an Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Sam Neill is internationally recognised for his theatrical contributions.

He is perhaps best known for his roles in the award winning film The Piano and the blockbuster Jurassic Park. His other film credits include Skin, Dean Spanley, the Australian film How to Change in 9 Weeks, Working Title's Wimbledon, Yes for Orlando director Sally Potter, the New Zealand thriller Perfect Strangers, Australian writer/director David Caesar's Dirty Deeds, the Czech production The Zookeeper and two of the Jurassic Park films.

Sam has received many accolades for his work in film, including a 1993 AFI (Australian Film Institute) Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as the detached husband in Jane Campion's classic The Piano. Also in 1993, Sam was named New Zealand Entertainer of the Year. In 1991 he received an AFI nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role for the feature Death in Brunswick. He won the award in 1989 for his performance in Fred Schepisi's dramatisation of the Lindy Chamberlain story Evil Angels (aka A Cry in the Dark).

Sam's television roles have received high praise, earning him a total of three Golden Globe nominations. In 1998 he received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the title role in the NBC miniseries Merlin. He also received a Golden Globe nomination in 1992 for his performance opposite Judy Davis in the war drama One against the Wind and in 1985 for his performance as British spy Sidney Reilly in Reilly: the Ace of Spies, which also starred Leo McKern. The British Academy of Film and Television honoured Sam's work in the miniseries by naming him the Best Actor on British Television in 1984. For his performance in the big budget 2004 Australian drama Jessica, Sam received an AFI Award for Best Actor. His television appearances also include Granada's epic miniseries Doctor Zhivago, To the Ends of Earth, Showtime's The Tudors and Crusoe.

Sam has also worked behind the camera and his directing credits include the Channel Seven telefeature The Brush-Off, starring David Wenham.

Sam produces an excellent New Zealand pinot noir called Two Paddocks, in the Otago region of New Zealand's south island. He is also active in a number of environmental causes.