Sam Neill Says He’s In Remission, Assures Fans He’s ‘Fine’ After Revealing Blood Cancer News

Sam Neill has assured his fans that he is alive and well after revealing he was being treated for stage three blood cancer.

The Jurassic Park star, 75, broke the news in his forthcoming memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This, where he writes in the first chapter that he is ‘possibly dying’.

And after his news made headlines, Sam took to Instagram on Saturday to provide a health update, telling his followers that he’s been in remission for eight months now.

The thespian also shared how he will soon be working on a new project alongside actress Annette Bening, 64, and other “amazing cast.”

He wrote in a caption next to a video: “Hello, I’m Sam Neill, kind of an actor, vintner and an author.”

He went on to suggest that he’s been through the worst of things, continuing, “I’m alive and well and I’ve been in remission for eight months, which feels really good. And I’m alive and well and I’m going to work.’

Describing his excitement to get back to what he does best, Sam added: ‘I’m really happy to be back to work. We’ll start filming in seven days. I’m doing a thing called “Apples Never Fall” with Annette Bening, and a really great cast. So here I am.’

The Hunter actor went on to share more details about his new book and how he came to write it, sharing how he put pen to paper after taking a break from acting due to his treatment.

He said, ‘The most important thing is that I wrote this book, it’s called ‘Did I Ever Tell You This?’. And it mentions cancer, because that’s the kind of context I wrote it in.

“But I really didn’t mean to write a book, I had something to do while I was on treatment, and I’m used to going to work and suddenly I couldn’t go to work anymore.” That is why I wrote the book and I must say that it has received a lot of reactions.

“People seem to love it, which is great. I was very nervous, obviously as the first author. Anyway, I think it’s fun. We subtitled it “Movies, Life, Love and Other Catastrophes.” So it gives you an idea of ​​all the crazy things that happened to me. The tone of the book is one of wonder.

“I never thought I would have a career as an actor, let alone an actor on the silver screen. But that’s what happened and I look back on this life with gratitude, and that’s what the book is about.

‘I hope you enjoy it. I recently enjoyed reading the audiobook, I hadn’t looked at the book in a while, but I liked it more than I expected. And I looked through the glass window at the audio engineer/producer and he seemed to be laughing 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!’

It comes after the movie star said in an interview with The protector“The thing is, I’m a crook. Possibly dying.’

He added, “Maybe I should speed this up. I found myself with nothing to do.

“And I’m used to working. I like working. I like going to work. I love being with people every day and enjoying human company and friendship and all these things. And suddenly I was robbed of that. And I thought, ‘What am I going to do?’

Neill also told the BBC that he had a “savage type of aggressive” non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

He began writing his memoirs as a distraction and to “give me a reason to get through the day.”

The book will look back at the New Zealand actor’s 50-year career on screen, as well as his sudden illness.

Neill revealed he sought medical attention after noticing he had lumpy glands in his neck last year while on a publicity tour for the movie Jurassic World Dominion.

The Piano star remained calm when doctors told him about his diagnosis, and he immediately began making plans to write a book about his life.

“I thought I had to do something, and I thought, ‘Shall I start writing?’ he told the BBC.

“I didn’t think I had a book in me, I just thought I’d write some stories. And I found it more and more fascinating.

“A year later, not only did I write the book – I didn’t have a ghostwriter – but it came out in record time,” he said proudly.

And about the literary endeavor, he also said that he “never had any intention of writing a book.”

Sam explained, “But as I went ahead and kept writing, I realized it actually gave me a reason to live and I went to bed thinking, ‘I’ll write about that tomorrow… that’ll entertain me.’ ‘

“And so it was really a lifesaver because I couldn’t have gone through that without doing nothing, you know.”

Sam’s specific condition was diagnosed as angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

He is now in remission, but will receive chemotherapy medication for the rest of his life.

According to Lymphoma.org AITL is “a rare, often but not always aggressive form of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).”

Statistically, this particular type of blood cancer makes up only one to two percent of all NHL cases in the United States.

The site also notes that older patients are more likely to be diagnosed.

Symptoms may include high fever, night sweats, skin rashes, and autoimmune disorders.

Reflecting on life, the seasoned actor admitted: “I’m not afraid to die. But it would annoy me. Because I would really like another decade or two, you know?

“We’ve built all these beautiful terraces, we’ve got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be there to see it all grow up. And I have my sweet little grandchildren. I want to see them grow up.

‘But as for the dying? I could not care less.’

The star was married to Japanese makeup artist Noriko Watanabe from 1989 to 2017 and they share two children: Elena, 32, and Tim, 40.

Born in Ireland and later moving to New Zealand, Sam first appeared in 1975’s Landfall.

He next starred in 1979’s My Brilliant Career, based on the Miles Franklin novel.

Neill’s international breakthrough was in Andrzej Zulawski’s 1981 surreal film about divorce, Possession.

The actor told The independent that Zulawski was “a genius, but crazy.” He asked so much more of you than you could ever give. He asked much more than a director should.’

Sam’s most notable role is Dr. Alan Grant, who he most recently played in the Jurassic World franchise in last year’s third installment.