New Zealand actor Sam Neil has died at the age of 78, just months after revealing he was cancer-free following treatment for stage-three blood cancer.

His family says his death was unexpected but took comfort in the fact that he had beaten cancer.

Best known for his iconic role in Jurassic Park, Neill was hailed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a man of dignity, wit and quiet strength.

Albanese said Neil would be “much mourned and long remembered.

–Reuters–