Nicole Kidman honors 'Dead Calm' costar Sam Neill after his passing: ‘He will be greatly missed’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nicole Kidman has shared an emotional statement following Sam Neill's passing on Monday, July 13. 

Neill was 78 when he breathed his last in Sydney, Australia.

Nicole Kidman calls Sam Neill 'funny and intelligent'

Kidman, who had worked with the ‘Jurassic Park’ star, has reportedly said, “Sam was one of the greats, a joy to be around. We met when I was just 18, and he took me under his wing, and we stayed friends for life.”

“He was charming, kind, funny, and intelligent. He will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to his family,” the 59-year-old actress added, who played Neill’s wife in the 1989 nautical thriller ‘Dead Calm’.

Kidman was seen as Rae Ingram in Phillip Noyce’s directorial while the late star essayed the role of John Ingram.

Sam Neill's family says the actor 'passed with dignity'

Kidman’s tribute came after Neill’s family confirmed his death in a social media statement, saying that ‘The Piano’ star “was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life. The loss was sudden and unexpected, but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free.”

The family also thanked the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care, before adding, “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.”

 Australia’s Prime Minister shares tribute post for Sam Neill

Tributes have poured in since then, as Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in a statement, said, “Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories, and he earned a special place in Australian hearts.”

Praising him, the leader stated, “Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance,” before adding, “He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace.”

Cillian Murphy says Sam Neill was 'one of the kindest'

Another tribute was shared by Cillian Murphy, who was Neill’s co-star in ‘Peaky Blinders’.

“Like everyone who knew and worked with Sam, I admired him and adored him in equal measure. He was one of the kindest, funniest, and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors… RIP,” the ‘Oppenheimer’ star added.

'Peaky Blinders' mourns Sam Neill

‘Peaky Blinders’ also posted a tribute, saying, “We are devastated to hear that Sam Neill has died. Sam’s portrayal of Chester Campbell is one for the ages.”

The statement even praised Neill’s portrayal of Chester Campbell for the show’s success, as it added, “A villain who is despicable, petty, manipulative, but also charismatic, vulnerable, funny and supremely entertaining to watch...”