Few stars could boast a track record of turning in solid performances ranging from understated intensity to completely unhinged with such consistency as actor Sam Neill. Beginning with his work as a member of the New Zealand National Film Unit, Neill began to make a name for himself in his homeland with small films like "Sleeping Dogs" (1977). After moving to Australia for various film and television work, he received international exposure with the third entry in the popular "Omen" horror series as Damian Thorn in "The Final Conflict" (1981). From there it was on to a nearly uninterrupted run of impressive performances alongside some of film's biggest stars in projects such as the underrated "Dead Calm" (1989), co-starring Nicole Kidman, and the Academy Award-winning "The Piano" (1993), featuring Harvey Keitel and Holly Hunter. Neill then headlined one of the biggest blockbuster films of all time as the levelheaded Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" (1993). Almost effortlessly, he would continue to move from genres ranging from horror (1995's "In the Mouth of Madness"), to comedy (2000's "The Dish"), to historical drama (the 2007 season of Showtime's "The Tudors"), and back again with apparent ease. Over the years, the once supposedly camera shy Neill had steadily become one of the most welcome international presences on screen - be it film or television - of his generation.Born Nigel John Dermot Neill on Sept. 14, 1947 in Omagh, Ireland (County Tyrone in British-occupied Northern Ireland), "Sam" moved with his family to Dunedin, New Zealand when he was three. After attending boarding school at Christ's College in Christchurch, Neill studied English literature at the University of Canterbury. Emerging from university, he became a member of the New Zealand National Film Unit and began directing documentaries, making only occasional forays in front of the camera - at the time he was crippled by stage fright - in fringe productions and short films. Finally, after six years with the film unit, Neill took to acting with a passion, landing the lead role in Roger Donaldson's "Sleeping Dogs" (1977), New Zealand's first feature to receive a theatrical release in the United States. Soon after, the actor relocated to Australia where he first gained acclaim for his performance as a turn-of-the-century rancher in Gillian Armstrong's "My Brilliant Career" (1979), opposite Judy Davis as a headstrong young girl determined to maintain her independence. Neill's performance made an impact, in particular on film icon James Mason, who contacted Neill and encouraged him to come to London and take on an agent. Neill took the venerable actor's advice, and as a consequence won the lead in "The Final Conflict" (1981), the third entry in the "Omen" franchise. Neill's portrayal of the adult anti-Christ marked his U.S. debut, and while the film was the least successful of the series, it undeniably gained him international recognition. In another, even darker tale of terror, Neill played the suspicious husband of Isabelle Anjani in Andrzej Zulawski's cult psychological horror film, "Possession" (1981). Back in Australia, Neill next worked alongside future megastar Mel Gibson in "Attack Force Z" (1982), a World War II action adventure also starring B-movie veteran John Philip Law.For much of the 1980s, Neill added to his steadily growing résumé with a mixture of feature films and television projects. In the U.S., he took part in an adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's medieval classic "Ivanhoe" (CBS, 1982), co-starring friend and mentor James Mason. Across the pond, Neill turned in a highly regarded performance as Sydney Reilly, Britain's first super-spy, in the fact-based, 12-part series "Reilly: Ace of Spies" (PBS, 1984). The following year, Neill was cast alongside rising star Meryl Streep for the first time, in the post-WWII romantic drama "Plenty" (1985) - one of Streep's few early missteps. Back in the States, Neill made more television
