Actor Sam Neill is known to the world as the paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. He was the protagonist of the sci-fi action film and stars along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. The actor has since appeared in a number of films and shows such as Hunt for the Wilderpeople, In the Mouth of Madness, and Peaky Blinders. He also starred in the MCU as an actor in Asgard in the last two Thor films.
Earlier this year, the actor published his autobiography titled ‘Did I Ever Tell You This?’. Sam Neill wrote it while he was undergoing treatment for his cancer. In the book, he revealed that he auditioned for the role of James Bond at his agent’s insistence, after the tenure of Roger Moore.
Sam Neill’s Memoir
Actor Sam Neill has led a memorable life with his career starting in New Zealand and going all the way to Hollywood. The actor was born in New Zealand but has Irish ancestry. The actor also has a huge following in Australia where he co-starred with actress Judy Davis in My Brilliant Career as well as with Mel Gibson in Attack Force Z.
The actor was diagnosed with stage 3 blood cancer and was undergoing treatment. It was revealed when swollen glands were noticed during the promotions for Jurassic World: Dominion, in which Neill reprised his role as Dr. Alan Grant.
During the initial treatment, Neill decided to write a memoir as he had nothing to do. The opening lines of the book read, ‘The thing is, I’m crook. Possibly dying. I may have to speed this up.’ The actor mentioned in an interview that writing the book helped him get through the treatment. Speaking to The Guardian, he said,
“I never had any intention to write a book. But as I went on and kept writing, I realized it was actually sort of giving me a reason to live and I would go to bed thinking, I’ll write about that tomorrow … that will entertain me. And so it was a lifesaver really, because I couldn’t have gone through that with nothing to do, you know.”
Sam Neill has mentioned that his cancer has been in remission but he would need to be treated with chemotherapy for the rest of his life.
Sam Neill Auditioned For James Bond
Actor Sam Neill details many stories from his professional life in his memoir. One of the most fascinating stories was when he auditioned for the role of James Bond in 1985. After the exit of fan favorite Roger Moore, Sam Neill was one of the top contenders for the role of Agent 007. However, Neill mentioned in an interview that he did not want to take up the role.
When he was asked on the Today show about his memoir and his James Bond audition, Neill immediately revealed that he was bullied into going to it by his agent. He said,
“[my agent said] ‘Darling you’re going to Pinewood and that’s it.’…And so I found myself auditioning for a part that I never really wanted to do because no one wants to be the James Bond that no one likes. That’s an unenviable position. And the other thing is, my friend Pierce Brosnan really wanted the part. I wanted Pierce to do it. So I did this ridiculous audition and it was excruciating.”
Fortunately for the actor, Timothy Dalton was cast as Agent 007. Pierce Brosnan was later cast as Bond in 1995 and played the role until 2002’s Die Another Day. The hosts of the Today show played Sam Neill’s audition tape and collectively agreed that he would have made an impressive Bond, much to the embarrassment of Neill.
Source: Today
