"Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill dies at 78

Actor Sam Neill has died at age 78. His family says he passed away Monday in Sydney, Australia, surrounded by loved ones.

In a statement, the family called the loss "sudden and unexpected." They said Neill was cancer free at the time of his death. Neill had opened up in recent years about his battle with blood cancer, sharing earlier this year that he'd beaten it.

Neill was born in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand. He built a career spanning more than five decades, becoming one of the most recognizable and respected actors of his generation. He's known for playing paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in "Jurassic Park," and for his role in the Oscar winning film "The Piano."

More recently, Neill appeared on the acclaimed series "Peaky Blinders." Costar Cillian Murphy praised him in an interview earlier this year, saying, "I adored working with Sam Neill. He is one of my favorite people in the world."