Sam Neill

Biography: Sam Neill was born to New Zealand Army parents, Dermot and Priscilla Neill, while they were stationed in Northern Ireland. He has an older brother and a younger sister. The family returned to New Zealand in 1954, where he attended boarding school at Christchurch's Christ College, and participated in school drama productions.
He acquired his nickname, Sam, to avoid being victimized at school, and encouraged it's use. He uses the nickname today as his stage name. After college, he toured for a year in a minibus with the Players Drama Quartet, then later worked with the New Zealand National Film Unit in Wellington directing documentaries. This led to his first lead role in Sleeping Dogs, the first New Zealand film to be released in the U.S. After winning the lead in My Brilliant Career, he moved to Australia, and a long line of feature films followed.
In 1981, he received a call from British actor James Mason, urging him to come to England. Mason recommended him for the
lead role in The Final Conflict: Omen III. This was Neill's first American production, which was filmed in London. His relationship with costar Lisa Harrow produced a son, Tim. During this time, he was considered to replace Roger Moore in the James Bond films. Instead, he returned to Australia, and continued his successful film career.
In 1989, Neill married make-up artist Noriko Watanabe. Each brought a child into the marriage, Neill's son Tim and Watanabe's daughter Maiko, and they also have a daughter together named Elena. The family resides in Sydney, Australia, although they also have a residence in Otago, and vineyards near Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand. The vineyard sells Pinot Noir under the registered trademark of Two Paddocks. Son, Tim, divides his time between his parents.
His great-great grandfather aided in burning down the White House during the War of 1812.
Neill retains both his New Zealand citizenship and his British citizenship, by virtue of his birth in Northern Ireland.
**(Information acquired from various sources, including the Official Sam Neill site, authored by Erika Grams, various television interviews, and IMDb.)
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Sam Neill's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average career score: 59
Highest Metascore:
Metascore: 89
Lowest Metascore:
Metascore: 35
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
16 movie reviews
Title: Year: Credit: User score:
Metascore: tbd
Escape Plan
Sep 13, 2013 Dr. Emil Kaikev tbd
Metascore: 63
The Hunter
Apr 6, 2012 Jack Mindy / Jack Mindy 7.0
Metascore: 43
The Vow
Feb 10, 2012 Cast / Principal Cast 5.9
Metascore: tbd
In Her Skin
Feb 11, 2011 Mr. Reid tbd
Metascore: 53
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole
Sep 24, 2010 Allomere / Metalbeak 7.0
Metascore: 57
Daybreakers
Jan 8, 2010 Charles Bromley 5.9
Metascore: tbd
Angel
Mar 18, 2009 Théo 5.0
Metascore: 77
Little Fish
Feb 24, 2006 The Jockey 6.6
Metascore: 55
Yes
Jun 24, 2005 Anthony 7.6
Metascore: 59
Wimbledon
Sep 17, 2004 Dennis Bradbury 6.6
Metascore: 42
Jurassic Park III
Jul 18, 2001 Dr. Alan Grant 6.4
Metascore: 74
The Dish
Mar 14, 2001 Cliff Buxton 8.3
Metascore: 42
Bicentennial Man
Dec 17, 1999 'Sir' Richard Martin 6.9
Metascore: 65
The Horse Whisperer
May 15, 1998 Robert MacLean 7.0
Metascore: 35
Event Horizon
Aug 15, 1997 Dr. William Weir 6.7
Metascore: 76
Children of the Revolution
Apr 30, 1997 Nine tbd
Metascore: 89
The Piano
Nov 1, 1993 Alisdair Stewart 7.7
Metascore: 68
Jurassic Park
Jun 11, 1993 Dr. Alan Grant 8.6
Metascore: 58
The Hunt for Red October
Mar 2, 1990 Captain Borodin 7.7