February 8th 2025.
This past weekend, beloved actor Sam Neill made a rare public appearance as he continues his battle with blood cancer. Despite his diagnosis and ongoing treatment, Neill was in good spirits as he attended a public event. The New Zealand native first shared the news of his cancer in 2023, revealing that he had been undergoing chemotherapy for stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. The diagnosis came after Neill noticed swelling in his glands while promoting Jurassic World Dominion.
While Neill's cancer is currently in remission, he still undergoes monthly chemotherapy treatments for the rest of his life. As a result, the 77-year-old took a year-long break from the spotlight, making his appearance at the 2025 Aacta Awards all the more special. The ceremony, held at the Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, celebrated the achievements of Australian film and television, with standout projects like Better Man and Boy Swallows Universe taking home the top prizes.
As Neill walked the red carpet, he flashed a smile and posed for photos, looking dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie. He was also joined by his co-presenter, Australian actor Bryan Brown, who has appeared in over 80 films and TV shows. Throughout the night, Neill mingled with his industry peers, showing no signs of the private battles he has faced over the past two years.
Despite his cancer, Neill remains optimistic and grateful for the advancements in medicine that have allowed him to receive treatment. Last September, he shared on Kate Thornton's White Wine Question Time podcast that he was back to "hard work" after his break and was "enjoying life immensely." He also expressed gratitude for the care he has received from doctors and nurses, as well as the progress made in treating cancer in recent years.
In a candid moment, Neill admitted that if he had been diagnosed 20 years ago, he may not have survived. But now, he only has to undergo chemotherapy once a month, which he says comes with three or four "horrible" days before he bounces back and is able to enjoy life again. Despite the toll that chemotherapy takes on him, Neill remains positive and grateful to be alive and working.
Last October, Neill reassured fans that his cancer is still in remission, thanks to a new drug. However, doctors have warned him that this drug will eventually stop working. While Neill is not afraid of dying, he admits that he would be annoyed because there are still things he wants to do. In an interview with ABC's Australian Story, he said, "I'm not in any way frightened of dying. That doesn't worry me. It's never worried me from the beginning, but I would be annoyed. I'd be annoyed because there are things I still want to do. Very irritating, dying. But I'm not afraid of it."
For those going through a similar struggle, Neill wants to offer support and reassurance. He urges fans not to worry about him and to instead focus on the present and making the most of each day. For those seeking support and information, Macmillan Cancer Support is available through their helpline, webchat service, or website.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
