HOW
SAM N EILL
becAme a dyed-in-the-wool enophile and a waggish purveyor of NEW ZEALAND wine by steve stevens
Sam Neill. New Zealand actor formerly described as “media shy,” now as “outspoken.” Unable to describe how this change occurred. Born in Ireland of New Zealand stock. Still difficult to understand. Educated more or less. Passed Philosophy I courtesy of a long evening with friend John Clarke and some whisky. Awarded honorary doctorate in 2002. His friends still asking why. Disappointed he is unable to write prescriptions, but insists on being addressed as Doctor nevertheless. Can be seen on the screen on occasion between drinking bouts. This is how Sam Neill describes himself on the Web site of his New Zealand film company. And if you want to crawl inside the guy’s head, it’s a pretty good indication of what you’ll find: a talented artist who takes himself and his fame with a grain of salt. But for someone who takes it all so casually, Sam Neill’s career has reached fantastical heights. Parlaying acting success in 1970s’ New Zealand into a film career that includes box office successes such as The Hunt for Red October, The Piano and Jurassic Park, Neill has kept his head and his sense of humor. And he uses both of those attributes to tackle his other career—that of a private winery owner.
imageS courtesy: Susan BOAG
Neill’s film success allowed him to start Two Paddocks, a winery near Queenstown, New Zealand, essentially so he could make