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Sam Neill Biography

Birth Name:Nigel John Dermot Neill

Birth Place:Omagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer, Editor

Fast Facts

In 1993, he was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to the film industry
Appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Graduated from Victoria University with a degree in English literature
Got his big break in acting in the film "Sleeping Dogs․"
Worked for the New Zealand National Film Unit, during which time he directed a number of shorts that played before movies in theaters
Quote: "The pathetic thing about actors is they don't feel valid unless they're acting․"
Founded the winery Two Paddocks
Suffered from stuttering so much as a child that he would hope that no one would talk to him
Was in contention for the role of James Bond

Awards

1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1989AFI Award-Best Actor in a Lead Role: winner
1991AFI Award-Best Actor in a Lead Role: nominated
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1993Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1993American Television Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries: nominated
1993AFI Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1998Chainsaw Award-Best Actor: nominated
1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama/Romance: nominated
1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2000AFI Award-Best Performance by an an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001FCCA Award-Best Actor - Male: nominated
2001Jury Award-Best Actor: winner
2005FCCA Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2005New Zealand Screen Award-Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2006Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor on Television: nominated
2008Gemini-Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series: nominated
2008Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actor - Drama Series: nominated
2009Film Award-Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film: nominated
2010Film Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film: nominated
2012AACTA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2012FCCA Award-Best Actor - Supporting Role: nominated
2016AACTA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2016Lost Weekend Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2017AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2017FCCA Award-Best Actor - Supporting Role: winner
2017Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2017NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Narrator: nominated
2019AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2019FCCA Award-Best Actor - Supporting Role: nominated
2020AACTA Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2020AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2022AACTA Award-Best Lead Actor in a Drama: nominated
2023Silver Logie-Most Outstanding Actor: nominated
2023Silver Logie-Most Popular Actor: winner
2025AACTA Award-Best Lead Actor in a Drama: nominated
2025Silver Logie-Best Lead Actor in a Drama: winner
2026AACTA Award-Best Lead Actor in a Drama: nominated