Sam Neill Reveals Stage 3 Cancer: He Fought for His Life to See His Grandkids 'Get Big'

• Sam Neil is a happy grandpa at age 75.
• The movie actor revealed his 3rd stage of cancer, as he lost his hair and eyelashes, but fought for his life to be there for his family.
• Now he enjoys spending time at his farm and his big garden.

Sam Neill is a New Zealand actor best known for starring in the classic "Jurassic Park" film franchise. Besides his acting career, which spans 50 years, he is a family man with kids and grandkids.

The international star raised his brood away from the public eye, and they, too, chose not to follow in his acting footsteps in show business. Therefore, only a little is known about them.

Sam is a father to adult son Tim, whom he welcomed with his former girlfriend, actress Lisa Harrow in 1983. He has another adult child, daughter Elena, born in 1991, whom he shares with his ex-wife, film makeup artist Noriko Watanabe.

Elena reportedly gave birth to a baby boy in 2013, making Sam a proud grandparent. He said at the time, "I say this almost as if it were a personal achievement, but grandchildren, in truth, are thrust upon you whether you like it or not."

Sam became a grandfather again in November 2021. He announced the birth of the new addition to the family on Instagram as he cradled his new grandchild, whom he revealed as Nhalo.

Meanwhile, Sam disclosed he has an older grandson named Felix McIntosh, whom he raved about on social media, referring to his work as a DJ.

The "Peaky Blinders" alum disclosed in February 2022 that he has twin granddaughters too, sharing a photo of the young ones embracing one another and writing:

"Here are my little grandkids making the world a little kinder today."

Sam Lost His Hair in the Fight against Cancer That He Kept Secret: What Happened?

While it is evident that Sam adores being a doting grandparent, he has also been battling a disease quietly. In his new memoir, "Did I Ever Tell You This?" he revealed that he receives Stage 3 blood cancer treatment.

In a candid interview with The Guardian recently, Sam openly talked about his health woes, his career, being a celebrity, life on a farm, and mortality. His opening line reads: "The thing is, I'm crook. Possibly dying. I may have to speed this up."

Sam shared he started writing while undergoing treatment to keep himself busy. He said he is used to being productive and going to work because he enjoys acting, being in the company of others, and having friends.

But when he found himself in his current situation, he could no longer do all those things and asked himself what he could do to pass the time. Writing a book was never his "intention," but once he got the hang of it, it gave him purpose, and he got inspired to write each day. Sam said writing has allowed him to get deal with his health struggles.

The TV star first experienced swollen glands during the promotion of his latest film, "Jurassic World Dominion," in March 2022 and was soon diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

He started chemotherapy which failed, and he opted for a chemo drug that he must take monthly for the rest of his life. The said treatment comes at a high price, and Sam made a deal with the drug company, stating if he is alive for four months, they will make it accessible.

Even though he is now cancer-free, Sam said the past year had its "dark moments," but he is thankful for his life daily and his pals.

The "Ivanhoe" star admitted to looking fatigued and stated he does not fear death but would "annoy" him if he died because he still wants to be around to see the newly planted trees on his farm grow. In addition, he said:

"I've got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big."

When he was on treatment, Sam's appearance changed entirely. "I would look in the mirror and see a completely different person: not a hair on my head, no eyelashes, the beard had fallen," he explained.

However, with his cancer being in remission for eight months, Sam is now happy to be with his family. "Just pleased to be alive," he said. Sam can now taste food and take a swim in his dam. Moreover, he is thrilled to be able to get back to work.

Grandpa Sam Unveils His Private Life on a Farm

Sam lives in Central Otago in New Zealand and loves being close to nature. He has a garden which he showed off in a post on Twitter in January 2023, showing his expansive backyard with greenery.

At the time, the Hollywood star revealed in the video that he was watering the outdoor space and shared he started with the raspberries.

That same month, Sam shared a picture of his sheep gathering under a tree and disclosed they liked sitting under it.

The "Possession" star also has pigs on his farm. In December 2022, he posted a clip of them napping before they woke up from hearing his voice. He admitted he enjoys finding them asleep.

When asked how long he had been living on his farm, Sam revealed in a 2019 interview that he gets to live there six months a year. He spends much of his time in Sydney, Australia, while checking in at his farm from time to time.

In addition to sheep and pigs, Sam also has goats and chickens on his property. "I've got four little vineyards, and the farm is the heart of it," he said.

Sam also loves spending time with his family, as he shared a picture of his granddaughters helping out at his farm in April 2022. He photographed the little ones picking grapes.

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