As much as possible, I try to encourage people to use stunt men because that is really their job.
I can tell you where I was when Kennedy was shot - which was in the common room at school. I heard about it on the old valve radio. At the time of Armstrong's landing, I was at university rehearsing a play.
I enjoy some physical stuff. But if I had a choice between playing a scene where it's raining, it's terribly cold, I'm wet and I'm being drowned and playing a scene with dinosaur eggs in a laboratory, I'd probably take the latter. It's warmer and generally more comfortable!
I go by the role pretty much. And I think the only genre I haven't gotten to do but I'd love to is a western, but no one has ever asked me to do that. Unfortunately they are very few and far between these days, but that is one type of film I'd love to do.
I love the fact that you can't tell pinot noir what to do; it has to express itself. And it's always just beyond your grasp. If you do manage to get a hold of it, it's only for a fleeting moment.
I'm not big on Champagne, but I'd take along a bottle of Cristal to pop for when the boat comes to the rescue.
I've worked all my life to shed myself of any character.
There's part of me that loves traveling. And there's part of me that just loves staying home. It's a double-edged sword.
They're so lifelike, I became curiously fond of them. There was one little female velociraptor who had a cute haircut, but it was never anything more than holding hands - holding claws.
When I started in films, it never really occurred to me that I could make a career out of acting.
But human nature is not to be totally changed even by such a force as the Reformation.
Architecture is one of Sam passions. In his free time he likes to paint with water colours and play the ukelele.
In 2002 Sam played Ray in the Australian comedy movie Dirty Deeds which also starred Bryan Brown, Toni Collette and John Goodman
Sam has been nominated 5 times for an Australian Film Institue Award in various categorys. 1991 for Death in Brunswick (Best Actor in a Lead Role) 1993 for The Piano (Best Actor in a Supporting Role) 2000 for My Mother Frank (Best Performance by an an Actor in a Supporting Role) 2004 for Jessica (Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy) 2004 for The Brush Off (Best Direction in Television)
Sam has been nominated 3 times for a Golden Globe. All were for the category: Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV. In 1983 for Reilly: The Ace of Spies In 1991 for One Against the Wind In 1998 for Merlin
In 2004 Sam played Kirsten Dunst's father in the tennis movie Wimbledon.
In 1993 Sam played the role of Allan Grant in Jurassic Park. He then appeared in Jurassic Park 3 in 2001.
Sam hosted and narrated a series of 2002 documentaries for the BBC entitled Space (Hyperspace in the United States).
Sam studied English Literature at the University of Canterbury, where he got his first exposure to acting.
Neill was considered for the role of Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2. His wife ended up as the principal make-up & hair stylist for Kirsten Dunst in the movie.
Neill met wife Noriko Watanabe on the set of Dead Calm where she served as a make-up artist.
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