Highlights
- Despite battling a rare type of blood cancer, Sam Neill’s unwavering commitment to his acting career kept him moving forward.
- Neill’s first cancer treatment failed to improve his condition.
- Writing his memoir, “Did I Ever Tell You This?”, provided Neill with a newfound purpose and legacy for his family.
Sam Neill faced life’s challenges on a deeply personal journey when he was thrust into a relentless battle against a rare type of blood cancer in 2022. Despite enduring physically draining treatments, Neill continued to shine as a storyteller by releasing his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?
Just like Val Kilmer’s throat cancer recovery, Neill’s unwavering commitment to his acting career kept him moving forward. He made sure that his health issues did not define his legacy as an actor but rather as an artist with a relentless spirit and a passion for living in the present, not dwelling on the challenges that life may throw his way.
Sam Neill Revealed That His First Cancer Treatment Failed To Improve His Condition
During their promotional tour for Jurassic World: Dominion in 2022, Sam Neill first noticed an unusual swelling in his neck gland. According to Daily Mail, his succeeding medical tests revealed a diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.
Neill began chemotherapy treatment, but after three months, the therapy proved ineffective as his tumor continued to grow. His medical team decided to switch to a rare anti-cancer drug, which ultimately succeeded.
Neill continues to receive this new chemotherapy drug every month, and despite being in remission for a year, he must undergo infusions every two weeks. According to the National Institutes of Health, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma is a rare subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, accounting for just 1% to 2% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a relatively uncommon cancer affecting the lymphatic system, the extensive network of vessels and glands within the body.
Neill described to Australian Story the grim and depressing moments he endures and how he feels physically drained every after his cancer treatment. However, he acknowledged that these treatments are essential in preserving his life. While Neill accepts the temporary respite they provide, he understands that, at some point, the drug’s effectiveness will wane.
Dr. Orly Lavee, Neill’s hematologist, anticipates that when the current treatment ceases to be effective, they may need to explore alternative options. “… We may need to think about a third-line option. That’s a difficult thing to carry around, day in, day out, waiting for that to happen,” she stated.
But it’s about living one day at a time for the actor. He’s always valued the importance of living in the present, but his encounter with cancer has intensified his focus on making the most of each moment.
Sam Neill Wrote His Memoir As A Distraction During His Intensive Chemotherapy Sessions
Sam Neill told Australian Story that he found solace in writing every night before bed while he was receiving chemotherapy for his blood cancer. He shared that the words flowed from the experiences that shaped him, from his childhood, his beloved family, and relishing his vineyard/winery, he amassed a trove of spirited stories in his more than 40 years as a global actor.
In a matter of months, his story found a publisher, and in March 2023, Neill released his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This? “I don’t pretend to be a writer, but I am a conversationalist. I love chatting. Here are some stories that amuse me. You might like them, too.” Neill told ABC.
The drive he had behind his book stemmed from his desire to leave a lasting legacy for his four children and eight grandchildren. Neill recognized the value of passing down his stories. “I thought it would be great for them to have some of my stories. I mightn’t be here in a month or two. We’ll leave something for them,” he explained.
In an interview with The Guardian about his book, the actor admitted that he initially had no intention of writing a book but soon realized that it provided him with a newfound purpose in life, becoming a source of nightly anticipation. “… And so it was a lifesaver really because I couldn’t have gone through that with nothing to do, you know.”
In Did I Ever Tell You This?, Neill demonstrated his talent as a storyteller, guiding readers through his early years in Ireland, his upbringing in New Zealand, and the eccentricities of his family life. The book is replete with humorous coming-of-age tales and entertaining anecdotes from various film sets. While Neill acknowledged that his illness is an ever-present theme, he explained that his book is not a cancer memoir and is primarily a reflection of his fun and unlikely life and extensive career.
Sam Neill Did Not Stop Working Despite His Tragic Health Diagnosis
Sam Neill loves being in the company of fellow actors and his acting career brings him happiness. His career spans over four decades starting in 1979 when he starred alongside Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career.
Neill has had the privilege of sharing the screen with some of the finest talents in the industry. From reuniting with Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern in Jurassic World to Meryl Streep in Evil Angels, Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm, and the late Sean Connery in The Hunt for Red October, his journey has been graced by remarkable co-stars.
“I can’t tell you how privileged I am to spend that amount of time with so many actors, so many of whom I’ve really enjoyed and so many of whom I’ve really admired,” he told Australian Story.
Although Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic World franchise is arguably his most iconic role, Neill is also known for the James Bond role he intentionally shied away from. In the 1980s, he auditioned for the role at the insistence of his agent and against his instincts.
“I really didn’t want to be the Bond that everyone didn’t like. I didn’t really want that gig at all because you’re stuck with it for the rest of your life… I have never wanted to be a celebrity.” Neill told Daily Mail.
Before the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, Neill was gearing up for the filming of the television adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel, Apples Never Fall. The production, co-starring Annette Bening, was initially set to take place in Australia. He is also preparing for the second season of the Australian TV series The Twelve, to be filmed in Western Australia.
Neill told BBC that he would prefer people not to dwell on his battle with cancer. As he candidly puts it, “The last thing I want is for people to obsess about the cancer thing because I’m not really interested in cancer. I’m not really interested in anything other than living.”
Source: NewsFinale
