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Sam Neill Biography

Birth Name:
Nigel John Dermot Neill
Birth Place:
Omagh, Northern Ireland
Profession
Actor, director, writer, producer

Fast Facts

  • Was given the nickname "Sam" at school due to the large number of students with the same birth name, Nigel
  • Film debut was 1977's Sleeping Dogs, the first New Zealand film to be released in America
  • Was considered twice to play James Bond: first after Roger Moore retired, and again when Timothy Dalton stepped down
  • Received the Order of the British Empire in 1991
  • Owns a vineyard that sells wine under the label Two Paddocks
  • Talked about his childhood stutter in a 2002 interview for "Famous Lost Words," a video documentary produced by the British Stammering Association

Awards

  • 2017Emmy-Outstanding Narrator: nominated
  • 2016AACTA Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2011AACTA Awards-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005Logie Awards-Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2004Australian Film Institute Awards-Best Direction in Television: nominated
  • 2004Australian Film Institute Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy: nominated
  • 2000Australian Film Institute Awards-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1993Australian Film Institute Awards-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1991Australian Film Institute Awards-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1989Australian Film Institute Awards-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated

Relationships