Sam Neill says his shock cancer diagnosis drove him to write his life story in a memoir

Actor Sam Neill, known for his roles in Jurassic Park and The Hunt for Red October, has revealed that his shock cancer diagnosis drove him to write his life story in a new memoir.

Neill, 72, was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in 2018 and said the news made him “question his mortality”. He described the experience as a “wake-up call” and felt the need to document his life story.

Neill said: “When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018, it was a shock. It made me question my mortality and I realised that I wanted to leave something behind for my family and friends.”

The New Zealand-born actor chose to document his life story in a memoir, titled “Sam Neill: A Memoir”. He said he wanted to “capture the moments and memories that defined his life”.

The memoir covers Neill’s life from his childhood growing up in the rural New Zealand countryside to his rise to international fame. It also covers his experiences with prostate cancer and his battle to overcome it.

Neill said: “I wanted to capture the moments and memories that defined my life, from my childhood in rural New Zealand to my rise to international fame. Writing this book was a way of processing my life and being able to share a piece of myself with the world.”

The memoir is due to be released in the United Kingdom on the 24th of June. It will be available in hardback, audiobook, and ebook format.