Remembering Sam: Our most famous actor on home, Hollywood friends, wine, and ageing

Sam Neill returned to Central Otago after a promotional tour in the United States for his then-new TV series Apples Never Fall, timed with the region’s harvest season. In an interview republished by The Herald, Neill spoke with journalist Kurt Bayer about the pull of home, his Hollywood peers, and how pinot noir vines and aging mirror each other. The 76-year-old actor visited his Two Paddocks vineyard at Bannockburn before stopping for coffee in Cromwell, where locals recognized him despite the bustle. Neill also addressed his health, saying he had been in remission for two years following stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. The conversation referenced film fame and connections with colleagues, including a brief mention of Liam Neeson as a supporter.