Sam Neill, Jurassic Park’s star, has disclosed that he is currently being treated for stage three blood cancer.
The Guardian reported that the actor, now 75 years old, said writing his memoir was what gave him the “reason to live” after receiving his diagnosis.
He stated that he wrote the book to keep himself busy last year while undergoing treatment.
“I realized it was actually kind of giving me a reason for living,” Neill stated.
“I would go back to bed thinking, ‘I’ll write that tomorrow…that will entertain me.’
“And so it proved to be a lifesaver, as I couldn’t have done that without something else, you know.”
New Zealander Neill said he experienced swollen glands in March 2013 during Jurassic World Dominion publicity. He was then diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic-T-cell lymphoma. This is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The author also discusses his experiences with chemotherapy. He was initially unsuccessful and then was prescribed a new drug. This new medication will be taken every month for the rest his life, even though he is now cancer-free.
Neil stated to The Guardian that he couldn’t pretend the past year didn’t have its dark moments. Those dark moments, however, bring out the light and make me thankful for every day of it and for my friends.
“Just glad to be alive.”
Neill starred in the BBC’s hit series Peaky Blinders as Major Chester Campbell. He also reprised his role last year as Alan Grant in Jurassic Park.
His memoir, Did You Ever Tell Me This?, will be published 21 March.
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