Born on September 14, 1947 in Omagh, Northern Ireland, Sam Neill was a student of Christ’s College boarding school for boys in Christchurch. He was born as Nigel John Dermot Neill and grew up in New Zealand. He majored in English literature at the University of Canterbury, where he acquired his first initial acting experience, but completed his studies at Victoria University. His first major role was in the movie, Sleeping Dogs. He initially worked as a director at the New Zealand National Film Unit. More roles eventually followed, and he was next cast in the Australian classic, My Brilliant Career in 1979. He was then chosen to play Damien Thorn in Omen III: The Final Conflict, a sequel to The Omen.
Sam Neill was considered to play James Bond, following the footsteps of Roger Moore. The part went to Timothy Dalton instead, and Neill went on to play a number of heroes and villains on film and television. He starred in dramas like Ivanhoe and in Reilly, Ace of Spies. His other films include Deadly Calm, The Hunt for Red October, The Piano, Sirens, Jurassic Park, Event Horizon, The Dish, Jurassic Park III, Wimbledon and The Horse Whisperer. He also played the role of Merlin in Hallmark’s made for television movie, Merlin. This earned him a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie at the Emmys. He was also nominated at the Golden Globes Awards for the same performance. Neill’s next role became Cardinal Worsley in the Showtime drama miniseries The Tudors. His character is the son of a prostitute who rose above his humble beginnings to become King Henry VIII’s personal chaplain. He was, however, drawn to an extravagant lifestyle and is married to Joan Larke. Neill has also appeared on the film Angel and the television miniseries Iron Road in 2008. One of his hobbies is running Two Paddocks winery, a vineyard he has established in New Zealand.