Cillian Murphy and ‘Peaky Blinders’ team honor Sam Neill after his death: 'One of the finest actors'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Cillian Murphy and the ‘Peaky Blinders’ team have paid tribute to Sam Neill after he died on Monday, July 13.

The 78-year-old actor's death was announced in a social media post by his family.

Cillian Murphy says he 'admired and adored' Sam Neill

Murphy, who worked alongside Neill in the British historical crime drama television series 'Peaky Blinders', expressed his grief over the tragedy. In a statement to Variety, he said, “Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure.”

Calling him “one of the finest actors,” Murphy also added that the ‘Jurassic Park’ star was “one of the kindest, funniest, and gentlest people”.

'Peaky Blinders' team praises Sam Neill's 'supremely entertaining' portrayal of Chester Campbell

Besides, the team of ‘Peaky Blinders’ also honored Neill, who played the role of Chester Campbell, in the hit series. The statement read, “We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died. Sam’s portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages.”

“A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny and supremely entertaining to watch. Sam was one of the key forces that got ‘Peaky Blinders’ off to a running start, for which we will be forever grateful. Our love and thoughts are with his family,” the team added.

Sam Neill was in Sydney when he died

Neill had battled a type of cancer, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, but as per his family, he was cancer-free at the time of death.

In an earlier interview, he had even reportedly said that he was “not in any way frightened of dying. That doesn’t worry me. It’s never worried me from the beginning. But I would be annoyed, because there are things I still want to do.”

Meanwhile, the statement announcing his death said that the New Zealand actor was in Sydney, Australia, when he died “surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.”

“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss,” the statement added.

Australian PM says Sam Neill 'will be much mourned and long remembered'

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also issued a statement, remembering Neill.

Praising him for his “dignity, humour and conviction” which he not just showed in his performance but also in his fight against cancer, Albanese asserted that the ‘Event Horizon’ star “will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”

The political leader also added that Neill “starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts.”