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Sam Neill is one of the world's most famous faces; he's been on television and movie screens for over five decades. Although he started out on the small screen in New Zealand back in the 1970s and rose to international prominence in the third of the Omen series of horror movies, it was after he took on his role as Dr. Alan Grant in the 1993 smash-hit Jurassic Park that he really hit the big time.
What's remarkable is that the character of Dr. Alan Grant still resonates with the public to this day. While his performance remains memorable almost 30 years after we first witnessed the prehistoric theme park in theaters; it's impossible to think that his image would be as enduring without the impact of modern media.
Based on the movies, there have been numerous video games, which then spawned a series of other titles with prehistoric themes, such as Dino D-Day and Primal Carnage on PC. The huge beasts also feature in the online slots showcased on Ladbrokes, with Jurassic World and Dinosaur Rage being two that use the popular imagery to great effect. You can even take a Jurassic journey in Lego form too on the Nintendo Switch, and it's this constant exposure that has accompanied Neill throughout his career. However, while this instantly recognizable character evokes an impression of familiarity that allows some to think they may know Sam Neill, below are some facts about the man who plays the much-loved archaeologist that may not be so familiar.
1. On the 14th of September 1947, in Northern Ireland, Priscilla and Dermott Neill welcomed their son, Nigel John Dermot Neill, into the world. However, he was soon to be nicknamed 'Sam' at school due to there being an abundance of students with the name Nigel.
2. The family moved to New Zealand when Sam was seven years old; they spent his formative years in Europe due to his father serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in the country.
3. Neill has been appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DCNZM). The prestigious accolade is only given to those who have become distinguished by their talents, contributions, or other merits in any field of endeavor.
4. He was one of the first choices to play the role of Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2. However, it was a role he declined due to personal reasons. Can you imagine just how good that would have been? Although Alfred Molina's performance was impressive.
5. Sam has a varied taste in music. Along with loving classics from the likes of the Beach Boys, he lists the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as one of his favorite songs in the world. However, head over to his Twitter page. You'll be able to see him covering another one of his loves, Radiohead's Creep - it's somewhat different hearing it played on a ukulele though!
We hope you've learned a little more about one of Hollywood's most distinguished and loved actors. If you want to learn more about one of his co-stars in Jurassic Park, check out our article with Jeff Goldblum.
