Sam Neill 1947 -2026

Many folks have written wonderful thing about the actor Sam Neill who has died after struggling with post Cancer treatment pneumonia but I thought as there was a musical connection visitors might appreciate this from the Fanz and Frenz page of Facebook for Crowded House:

 "So very sad to hear of the passing of actor Sam Neill.  At times New Zealand is a very tiny place and with the Finn connection, and as you can imagine Sam crossed paths with us so many times at locations around the globe. He genuinely loved the music of Split Enz, Crowded House & those pesky Finn Brothers.  I will always remember his soft spoken calm voice, his sweet bloke smile and you were left feeling like you had known him for decades.   I'm trying to remember some Sam moments. I think my first was at a gig and manager Grant Thomas needed me to look after the merchandise. Sam walked up , I'd watched "Sleeping Dogs" the night  before so knew who he was. He'd done Jurassic Park so he was a star I guess. He loved the t-shirt designs and wanted three. I knew he was friends with the Finns so I went to comp them out but he flatly refused, determined to pay. I was so use to celebs getting items for free so this was rare. I was restocking before interval and he comes walking out with a fresh coffee for me. A small gesture but how can you not love that. He hung around after the gig and we all ended up in one of the band members rooms (Neils?) eating grilled cheese sandwiches from room service.   

I reminded him that he did the voice over work for the Split Enz SPELLBOUND documentary from 1993.  I cheekily made him say "There was magic in the air..." in his Sam Neill voice , the line he used during the documentary. "How could I say no to it, it was Split Enz, royalty" he mused. 

The other memory was from a NZ tour - I think a Neil Finn solo run of shows. I believe it was the Theatre Royal in Christchurch and Sam turned up. He recognised me & I walked him back to see Neil and family. Before he left he asked what I was doing next day and it was a day off so hanging around town. "Be ready at 8.30 and I'll pick you up and show you the winery".  What winery I wondered?

So at 8.30  sharp there he was and off to a winery we go. So a 4 hour drive to Otago! After seeing him chatting to people working there I realised he owned it (or at least co owned it). He loved the place and was very much hands on. He took a photo of me sitting on this classic old tractor and he proudly took me through the wine making process. I think he owned "Two Paddocks" winery even now, up to his death. Apart from his family, it was his pride and joy.  So just a few memories  He loved his music, he loved Split Enz and Crowded House. An unassuming man, the "real deal".  I feel honoured to of met him and I'm sure the Finns would be raising a glass of "Two Paddocks" Pinot Noir to Sam tonight, and we shall be doing the same.  Rest in Peace Sam Neill. “  

Peter Green [Crowded House Fanz & Frenz]  Crowded House Fanz & Frenz

  

What a lovedly man

We lost a great one

Sam named most all of his animals after friends and famous folk he had worked with or admired. When explaining this on Graham Norton’s show he dead panned that a picture of cattle included “Helena Bonham Carter! She’s a cow!”  

Then pointed out a recent new calf was called Graham Norton!

I liked him! 

We are all the poorer for his passing and he seems to have been universally adored by men and women alike! 

My favourite film of his?

The Hunt For The Wilderpeople!