Sam Neill has spoken out for the first time since revealing in his book that he has been suffering with cancer. Here he is explaining what the current situation is:
The Jurassic Park actor recently wrote a book in which he stated that he is ‘possibly dying’ but he’s now moved to clarify what is actually happening, explaining that he is ‘alive and kicking’ despite his health troubles.
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The 75-year-old said he was being treated for stage three blood cancer in his book Did I Ever Tell You, revealing his problems in the very first chapter.
However, he’s now posted a video on Instagram to allay fans’ fears, telling everyone that he’s been in remission for eight months and is planning to start working on a new project.
In the caption for his video, he wrote: “Hi I'm Sam Neill, actor of sorts , vintner, and an author as it happens.
“I am alive and well and I have been in remission for eight months, which feels really good.
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“And I'm alive and kicking and I'm going to work.”
Speaking of his forthcoming job, he continued: “I'm very happy to be going back to work. “We start filming in seven days’ time.
“I'm doing a thing called Apples Never Fall with Annette Bening, and a really wonderful cast. “So here I am.”
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Explaining why he said what he did in his book, the star said: “The main thing is that I have written this book, it's called 'Did I Ever Tell You This?' and it does mention cancer because that's the sort of context in which I wrote it.
“But I didn't really mean to write a book, I needed something to do while I was undergoing treatment, and I am used to going to work and I suddenly couldn't go to work.
“So that's why I wrote the book, and I have to say there's been great response to it.
“People seem to love it, which is great.
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“I was very nervous, obviously as a first time author.
“Anyway, I think it's fun. We sub-titled it 'Movies , Life , Love and Other Catastrophes’ so it gives you an idea of all the crazy things that have happened to me.
“The tone of the book is one of surprise.
“I never thought that I would have a career as an actor, let alone an actor on screen.
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“But that's kind of what happened and I am full of gratitude looking back on this life, and that's what the book is about.
“I hope you enjoy it. I enjoyed reading the audiobook the other day, I hadn't looked at the book for quite a while but I found it more entertaining than I expected."
“And I would look through the glass window at the audio engineer/producer and he seemed to be cracking up a lot so I take that as a good sign.
“So, I hope you enjoy it, and let's not worry too much about 'all that' because I'm fine. Okay!”
In chapter one of the book, he wrote: “The thing is, I’m crook. Possibly dying,
“I may have to speed this up.”
Neill has starred in loads of projects since the 1970s, notably the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World series, as well as appearing in Peaky Blinders and critically acclaimed films like The Piano.
Apples Never Fall is based on the bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty, and filming will start soon in Australia.
Featured Image Credit: SamNeill/Instagram/Moviestore Collection Ltd/AlamyTopics: Celebrity, TV and Film, Health, Cancer, Jurassic Park, Peaky Blinders