Sam Neill Sam Neill’s team is setting the record straight on reports around the actor’s cause of death. Earlier this week, it was announced that the Jurassic Park star had died at the age of 78, having only months earlier shared that he was cancer-free, following his involvement in a clinical trial to treat stage-three blood cancer. On Thursday, Sam’s representative shared a statement to put an end to the “inaccuracies and outright falsehoods” surrounding the nature of the New Zealand-born performer’s death, confirming that he died as a result of contracting pneumonia. The statement read: “Sam passed away from pneumonia. Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy. “In addition to running his award-winning winery, Two Paddocks, Sam had filmed four projects back-to-back during the past year, all of which will be released within the coming months.” Remembering Sam as an “an intensely private man who loathed a fuss”, his spokesperson added: “I’d like to thank those who were truly close to Sam for considering his privacy with the respect he earned and his loved ones need and deserve during this immeasurably difficult time.” It was also confirmed that a private memorial is due to take place at Sam’s farm in New Zealand. As well as his performance as Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, Sam was known for his work in Peaky Blinders, The Piano and The Tudors. He was also an Emmy nominee thanks to his narration work on the series New Zealand: Earth’s Mythical Islands, which was released in the 2010s. Following the news of his death, tributes have been paid by Sam’s peers and colleagues, including Jurassic Park’s Steven Spielberg and Laura Dern, as well as Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy. As reported by The Guardian, Sam is survived by his four children and six grandchildren. READ MORE: Jurassic Park And Peaky Blinders Star Sam Neill Has Died, Aged 78 Steven Spielberg Says Sam Neill Will 'Never Be Forgotten' In Beautiful Tribute