Sam Neill updates being cancer free after five year lymphoma battle

Sam Neill confirms he is cancer free after five years of lymphoma treatment and plans return to acting

Sam Neill has confirmed he is cancer free after nearly five years of treatment for stage-three blood cancer. The actor shared the update during an interview with Australia’s 7News network, reflecting on his diagnosis and recovery.

Neill revealed he had been living with a form of lymphoma for several years, undergoing chemotherapy as part of his treatment.

“I've been living with a particular type of lymphoma for about five years, and I was on chemotherapy and the pretty miserable business, but it was keeping me alive,” he said.

The actor explained that his condition worsened when chemotherapy stopped working. “I was at a loss, and it looked like I was on the way out, which wasn't ideal obviously,” he added.

Following a newer treatment approach, Neill said recent scans confirmed he is now cancer free. “I've just had a scan just now, and there is no cancer in my body, that's an extraordinary thing,” he said. “I'm very, very excited that this can happen.”

Neill first disclosed his diagnosis publicly in 2023, after being told he had angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma during a publicity tour for Jurassic World Dominion.

Looking ahead, the actor indicated plans to return to work. “It's time I did another movie,” he said.

Neill has previously spoken about his outlook during treatment, noting, “I'm not afraid to die, but it would annoy me,” while adding that he hoped to spend more time with his family, including his grandchildren.