Magda Szubanski has broken down as she shared a moving tribute to her friend and fellow actor, Sam Neill, after his death at age 78.
The 65-year-old actress starred alongside Neill in the 2019 Australian sports film, Ride Like a Girl, and the pair were good friends.
‘I’ve just heard the news about Sam and like everyone else,’ a visibly distressed Szubanski said in a video shared on Instagram on Monday.
‘I am absolutely shocked and devastated. Shocked, because when I spoke to him not long ago, he was cancer-free and really happy and excited about life.’
She continued, fighting tears: ‘This is just devastating. He was just a one-off, such a talented, classy, beautiful, wry, warm human being. Really a lovely man.
‘I’m just very sad for all those who loved him, and there are so many of us.
Magda Szubanski (pictured) has broken down as she shared a moving tribute to her friend and fellow actor, Sam Neill , after his death at age 78
The 65-year-old actress starred alongside Neill (pictured) in the 2019 Australian sports film, Ride Like a Girl, and the pair were good friends
‘God bless you Sam. I will miss you very much.’
Magda had lots of support in the comments section, with singer and television host David Campbell writing: ‘Oh Lady. Beautifully said.’
British actor Richard E. Grant added a series of red heart emojis, while activist Carly Findlay commented: ‘Magda, so sorry that your friend has gone. What a shock.’
Actress Catherine Alcorn wrote: ‘Sam was such a wonderful human being. Sending love to you.’
Neill died at the age of 78 just months after he revealed he was ‘cancer-free’ following a long battle with a type of blood cancer.
The New Zealand actor – who starred in blockbusters such as Jurassic Park and The Piano – died in hospital in Sydney on Monday.
Family described his passing as ‘sudden and unexpected’ in a statement published to his Instagram page.
‘It is with immense sadness that the whānau (family) of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13 July in Sydney, Australia. Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life,’ they said.
Neill died at the age of 78 just months after he revealed he was ‘cancer-free’ following a long battle with a type of blood cancer
‘The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.
‘More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.’
In April, Neill – who is best known for playing Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise – announced tests had found he was cancer-free.
Neill first went public with his cancer battle in 2023 after being diagnosed the previous year, after initially experiencing swollen glands.
He found out about his stage-three blood cancer while he promoted Jurassic World Dominion in 2022.
Kath and Kim comedian Magda has been on her own cancer journey over the past year.
In May last year, Magda announced on social media that she was battling a rare form of cancer known as Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
She appeared on camera with a shaved head after beginning her treatment to fight the disease.
Kath and Kim comedian Magda has been on her own cancer journey over the past year
‘Hello my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma,’ she said.
However, she revealed in February that her cancer had gone into remission.
‘I’ve completed chemo and I am now in remission. Phew!’ she said.
‘It’s not a cure, but if I’ve got a good remission, hopefully that will mean I’ll be able to keep the cancer at bay for a good long time.’
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