Sam. So effortlessly handsome, and that rare thing in New Zealand and Australia: a movie star.
My hands actually shook when I met him at a café on Vulcan Lane in Auckland to talk about rehearsals. He had arrived, we all had, to start pre-production on The Piano. He was going to play Stewart, the repressed and violent husband who chops off his wife’s finger. Who else but Sam could take on that role and surprise us with it?
[Image: Holly Hunter & Sam Neill in The Piano. Photograph: Jan Chapman Productions/Allstar]
Sam was kind, committed, and supportive. He looked after me and honestly everyone on set. He stomped through mud, organized dinners, bossed me around during rushes, and told me off if he thought I was letting the lighting get too dark. I loved him as Stewart. I remember gasping when he pulled Holly [Hunter] out of his hut into the pouring rain and mud with a force I hadn’t expected but instantly knew the story needed. He already understood—Stewart’s jealousy was terrifying.
One summer, Sam and his then-wife Noriko invited me to their house in Queenstown and showed me the stunning beauty of New Zealand’s deep south. That was the start of my family’s love affair with the south—the lakes, the mountains, the beech forests.
[Image: At the Cannes premiere of The Piano. Photograph: Pool BENAINOUS/REGLAIN/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images]
As time went on, we sometimes confided in each other, shared our life stories, talked like friends, and discussed getting ready for the end of life. Part of Sam’s response to his cancer diagnosis was to write a brilliant, entertaining memoir, and he wanted me to check the chapter on The Piano. It turned out to be a lonely time for him, but he never showed it—except maybe on screen.
[Image: Jane Campion and Sam Neill at the London Film Festival premiere of The Power of the Dog, 2021. Photograph: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Netflix]
I saw Sam at the start of this year with his partner Heather and our mutual friend Griz. We stayed overnight at his beautiful winery and celebrated what seemed like impossible good luck—that he was cancer-free and could now imagine new chapters. At that time, I noticed a gentleness and peacefulness about him, a kind of grace.
Then, just a few months later, he was suddenly in hospital at St Vincent’s in Sydney. I dropped by with coffee and food. Rachel Ward was there too, and we all joked and chatted. The sense of love around Sam had grown stronger. We didn’t talk about illness—it seemed like a waste of precious time.
The last time I saw Sam, he was still in hospital. I brought him a small watercolor set from the Macquarie art school shop because he said time was hard to fill… He was thrilled to dash off a few dreamy sketches. We talked about the incredible Split Enz reunion concert I’d seen, which he followed on audio from his bed. Our goodbye was a kiss, and then he thanked me for coming by, for making the effort. Did we know it would be the last time? I didn’t think about it, and I don’t think he did either.
In these last few months, every time I saw Sam, it was an intoxicating experience. He radiated peace and beamed love. He didn’t seem to care about anything. He was just gently, gracefully there—but now he isn’t. Thank you for everything, Sam. I miss you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on Jane Campions tribute to Sam Neill written in a natural conversational tone
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Who is Jane Campion and why did she say this about Sam Neill
Jane Campion is a famous film director She said this while honoring Sam Neill at a special event recalling their time working together and his recent battle with cancer
2 What did Jane Campion actually say about Sam Neill
She said He was radiating peace beaming love She was describing his calm positive energy during a difficult time in his life
3 Was Sam Neill sick when she said this
Yes Sam Neill had been treated for stage 3 blood cancer He has since gone into remission
4 What did she mean by radiating peace
She meant that even though Sam was facing a serious illness he wasnt scared or angry Instead he seemed calm and untroubled like he was giving off a peaceful feeling to everyone around him
5 Is this from a recent interview or a speech
It was part of a tribute speech Jane Campion gave at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2024 where Sam Neill received a lifetime achievement award
Intermediate Questions
6 Why did Jane Campion specifically talk about Sam Neills attitude during his illness
Because it was a powerful example of his character She wanted to show that his kindness and strength werent just onscreenthey were real especially when facing something as hard as cancer
7 Did Jane Campion and Sam Neill work together on a famous movie
Yes She directed him in the 1993 film The Piano He played the lead male role Alisdair Stewart opposite Holly Hunter
8 What was the beaming love she mentioned referring to
It described how Sam Neill treated the people around himfamily friends and colleagueswith genuine warmth and care even when he was the one going through treatment
9 How did Sam Neill react to Jane Campions words
He was visibly moved and grateful He later said in interviews that her words meant the world to him and that he felt lucky to have
