Sam Neill is a New Zealand actor, director, producer and writer. Neill’s 53-year career has included leading roles in both dramas and blockbusters.
Considered an “international leading man”, he has been regarded as one of the most versatile actors of his generation.
Sam began his acting career in New Zealand and gained recognition with the film Sleeping Dogs.
He then moved to Australia and bagged the lead role in My Brilliant Career. Thereafter, he appeared in a series of movies like Omen III: The Final Conflict, Possession, A Cry in the Dark and The Piano which brought him further fame.
His film credits in subsequent years include The Dish, Sweet Country, Hunt For The Wilderpeople, The Daughter and The Hunter.
Apart from films, the veteran actor has been a part of numerous television production including Reilly, Ace of Spies, Merlin, The Tudors and Peaky Blinders.
Sam Neill has also narrated, directed, produced and written numerous documentaries.
For his work in cinema and television, he was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1991 and a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007.
Who is Sam Neill?
Sam Neill was born on 14th September 1947 in Omagh, Northern Ireland as Nigel John Dermot Neill to Priscilla Beatrice (née Ingham) and Dermot Neill.
His father, an army officer, was a second-generation New Zealander, while his mother was English.
His great-grandfather Percival “Percy” Neill left Belfast, Ireland and moved to Melbourne, Australia, joining a firm of merchants.
Four years later, in 1863, he moved to New Zealand, settling in Dunedin. He was the son of a wine merchant importing wine from France.
At the time of Neill’s birth, his father was stationed in Northern Ireland, serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
His father’s family owned Neill and Co. (later part of the listed hospitality group Wilson Neill). Neill considers himself a New Zealander.
In 1954, Neill moved with his family to New Zealand, where he attended the Anglican boys’ boarding school Christ’s College, Christchurch.
He went on to study English literature at the University of Canterbury, where he had his first exposure to acting.
He moved to Wellington to continue his tertiary education at Victoria University, where he graduated with a BA in English literature.
In 2004, on the Australian talk show Enough Rope, interviewer Andrew Denton briefly touched on the topic of Neill’s stuttering.
He recalled how deeply it had affected him in his life and, as a result, he often found himself “hoping that people wouldn’t talk to [him]” so he would not have to answer.
He also stated, “I kind of outgrew it. I can still … you can still detect me as a stammerer.”
He first took to calling himself “Sam” at school because there were several other students named Nigel, and because he felt the name Nigel was “a little effete for … a New Zealand playground.
Sam Neill Wife
Sam Neill was married twice. His first marriage was with actress Lisa Harrow from 1980 to 1989.
He then married make-up artist Noriko Watanabe in 1989 and they were together until 2017.
About Lisa Harrow
Lisa Harrow is a New Zealand RADA-trained actress, noted for her roles in British theatre, films and television.
She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Nancy Astor in the British BBC television drama Nancy Astor.
Harrow was born in the Auckland suburb of Mount Eden on 25 August 1943, the daughter of Kennedy Mayo Harrow and Eleanor Joan Harrow (née Stacpoole) .
She studied at the University of Auckland, and later graduated from RADA in 1968, joining BBC Radio’s Repertory Company .
About Noriko Watanabe
Noriko Watanabe is a Japanese make-up and hair artist who has worked in the Hollywood film industry for many years .
She has collaborated with many A-list actors, including Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, and Andrew Garfield.
She won the Hollywood Film Hair and Makeup of the Year Award for her work on the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” in 2016 1.
Noriko Watanabe was also married to Sam Neill in 1989. They were together until 2017.
Sam Neill and Noriko Watanabe have two children together, a daughter named Elena and a son named Tim.
Sam Neill Girlfriend
Sam Neill is currently Laura Tingle.
About Laura Tingle
Laura Tingle in full, Laura Margaret Tingle is an Australian journalist and author.
She is the chief political correspondent of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s 7.30 current affairs television program and was and was previously the political editor of Australian Financial Review.
Sam Neill Children
Sam Neill has three children. He has a son named Tim Neill from his first marriage to actress Lisa Harrow .
He also has a daughter named Elena Neill from his second marriage to make-up artist Noriko Watanabe .
Sam Neill has kept his private life away from the spotlight, so not much is known about his children.
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