Nigel John Dermot "Sam" Neill, born in 1947, is a New Zealand actor who achieved international fame in the late 1970s. His long and versatile career is inextricably linked to iconic performances, such as paleontologist Alan Grant in the *Jurassic Park* film series, a role he has reprised several times, and the austere Alisdair Stewart in Jane Campion's critically acclaimed film *The Piano* (1993). His other significant roles include Captain Vasily Borodin in *The Hunt for Red October* (1990) and parts in films such as *Event Horizon* (1997) and the more recent *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016). His versatility has also led him to success on the small screen, with notable roles in the miniseries *Merlin* (1998) and the television series *Peaky Blinders*. Throughout his career, he has received several nominations for prestigious awards, including Golden Globes and Emmys. For his contribution to the arts, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.