The Kiwi star died on Monday in Sydney, Australia, his family says.

Kiwi actor Sir Sam Neill has died, his family has announced.

"It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia.

“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.”

The statement says Neill’s death was sudden and unexpected but they were “blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free”.