Sam Neill

Sam Neill (Dr.Alan Grant) based on New Zealand, Irish-born Sam Neill is recognized internationallyfor his work in film and television. His highly eclectic feature film credits include Bicentennial Man With Robert Redford and Kristen Scott Thomas, Children of the Revolution with Judy Davis, and Restoration Alongside Robert Downy, Jr., Meg Ryan and Hugh Grant. He had previously starred opposite grant as controversal Australian artist Norman Lindsey in John Duigan's Sirens. Neill's profile skyrocketed in 1993 with his roles Steven Speilberg'sJurassic Park and Jane Campions The piano. The Piano won the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Australlian Film Institute (A.F.I.) prize as Best Picture. Neill was named New Zealand Entertainer of the Year in 1993 and received the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) honor for Service to Acting, as well as an A.F.I. nomination.

His film credits also include The Hunt for Red October with Sean Connery, Dead Calm opposite Nicole Kidman, and My Brilliant Career with judy davis. He starred in opposite Meryl Streep in two films for director Fred Schepisi, A Cry in the Dark and Plenty. He collected the A.F.I. Awards as best Actor for Plenty.

More Recently, Neill appeared in My Mother Frank, earning another A.F.I. nomination. He lent vocal talents to the animation feature, The Majic Pudding, and also recently starrred in The Zookeeper and The Dish.

Neill has been honored with Golden Globe nominations for his work on television twice, and received both Golden Globes and Emmy Nominations for his porformance as the title character in the 1998 miniseries Merlin. He portrayed Thomas Jefferson in the miniseries Sally Hemings: An American Scandal,, and also starred in Reilly: Ace of Spies, Kane and Abel, Amerika and One Against the Wind.

When not before the cameras, Neill works as a vinter in Otago, New Zealand, producing a Pinot Noir called Two Paddocks.