High-profile figures from around the world have paid tribute to Sam Neill after his sudden death on Monday.

Entertainment figures such as Magda Szubanski and politicians including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon honoured the late actor following the news of his death.

SEE SAM NEILL’S LIFE IN PICTURES IN THE GALLERY BELOW

Neill’s family announced that he had died in Sydney on social media, saying he was “surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life”.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the actor soon after the news broke, saying he will be long remembered.

“Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts. Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance.

“He will be much mourned and long remembered. May he rest in peace,” Albanese wrote on social media.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, hailed Neill as “one of the greats”.

“He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of. For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports,” Luxon said.

Away from politics, Colin Trevorrow, who directed Neill in Jurassic World, paid tribute on social media.

“He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength. I’ll remember him for his tranquility, his love of wine, and for the calm assuredness he brought to his characters,” Trevorrow wrote.

Australian comedian and cancer survivor Magda Szubanski also paid an emotional tribute to the actor on social media.

“Vale darling Sam. This is just devastating news. An exceptional man - talented, kind, classy, wryly hilarious and loving. Proud cancer survivor. My heart goes out to all Sam’s family and friends. A great loss to the global acting community, Australia and New Zealand, and to ornery ducks,” she wrote.

“God bless you my darling and may flights of angels carry you to those happy paddocks beyond the sky where there will be endless supplies of excellent wine and great company and animals gamboling happily. All my love, Magda 💔💔💔💔”

English actor Daisy Ridley paid tribute to Neill by sharing a photo of the pair on the set of The Last Resort, adding heartbreak emojis to the post.

The romantic comedy, filmed in the Philippines and due for release in 2027, is expected to be among Neill’s final screen appearances.