‘I kept meaning to ring him’: Sam Neill’s pal says actor ‘had bug’ before his death

Beloved actor Sam Neill has died suddenly, aged 78.

The world fell in love with him when he starred in Jurassic Park and Aussies were so enamoured we long claimed the Kiwi as one of our own.

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Neill was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer in 2022, but revealed earlier this year he was cancer-free.

His death has shocked fans and his many friends, including co-star from Aussie classic The Dish, Roy Billing.

Billing told A Current Affair he was still in touch with his pal, last speaking about a month ago.

He had planned to visit his Queenstown vineyard whilst filming for Netflix.

“I’m a bit shocked and obviously very, very sad,” he said. ” I think everybody’s shocked.”

Billing said he had heard Neill “had some bug” and was in hospital a few days ago.

“’I kept meaning to ring him but I didn’t, and now I totally regret that,” he said.

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