Hollywood star reveals cancer battle

Beloved actor Sam Neill has revealed he is “possibly dying” after being diagnosed with stage-three blood cancer a year ago.

In the preview of his upcoming book Did I Ever Tell You This?, the star of Jurassic Park disclosed he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in March last year.

In his signature understated style, he doesn’t sugar-coat the revelation.

“The thing is, I’m crook. Possibly dying. I may have to speed this up,” he writes in the first chapter.

In an interview with The Guardian to promote the book, the 75-year-old said he was initially taken through a course of chemotherapy, which failed.

Since then the Hollywood star said he has since been taking an experimental chemo drug, which he will continually need to take for the rest of his life.

Happily, he is now in remission and cancer free.

“I can’t pretend that the last year hasn’t had its dark moments,” he told The Guardian.

“But those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief, you know, and have made me grateful for every day and immensely grateful for all my friends. Just pleased to be alive.”

Mr Neill shot to international fame when he starred as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in 1993’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s novel Jurassic Park.

Despite his status as a globally recognised actor, he did not start acting until he was 30 years old in 1977.

The actor was born in Ireland in 1947, before moving to New Zealand when he was seven years old.

Over his nearly 50-year acting career, Mr Neill has earned international acclaim for his talent and versatility.

He also runs the Two Paddocks winery in Alexandra, New Zealand.

memoir is due for release on Tuesday.