Actors, filmmakers and studios have paid tribute to Sam Neill after news emerged that the “Jurassic Park” and “Peaky Blinders” star had died aged 78. The responses portray him as both a major screen presence and a widely admired colleague, underlining the breadth of his influence across Hollywood, British television and New Zealand’s film community. The story matters because it reflects Neill’s long cultural impact and the affection he inspired among collaborators from different generations.

Among those paying tribute were Cillian Murphy, Nicole Kidman, Colin Trevorrow, Jeff Goldblum, Jane Campion, Toni Collette, Karl Urban, Alan Cumming, Kylie Minogue and Universal Pictures. Murphy called him one of the finest actors, while Kidman recalled meeting him when she was 18 and said they remained friends for life; Trevorrow wrote that Neill’s “strength gave us all strength” during a difficult period. Neill was remembered especially for roles in “Jurassic Park”, “Jurassic World Dominion”, “Dead Calm” and “Peaky Blinders”, with the latter’s official account saying his portrayal of Chester Campbell helped give the series an early boost.