The late Sam Neill was something special. The New Zealand actor played a massive part in my childhood without even knowing it by being Dr. Alan Grant in the "Jurassic Park" movie. Not only was I obsessed with the film, but I also played the video games where Grant was the central character.
You've probably seen several Neill movies yourself. So many of them were incredible, and he could play almost anything. An adventurous scientist, a madman, or even a villain in "Peaky Blinders" so convincing that I had to IMDB it to make sure it was him.
But I think that what really endeared Neill to me was his social media presence. Unlike other celebrities, Neill had a habit of using his social media to both entertain and uplift. He was a performer, and you could tell this wasn't just a job for him; it was a passion. He wanted to entertain you and make you feel better about life, even if for a moment.
He and Jeff Goldblum singing and joking together isn't a grand performance for the ages, but it felt more like an easy-going moment around friends, where you weren't just watching; you were hanging out there too. Neill always made sure you felt involved, and for a kid who grew up watching him, it felt very familiar and warm.
Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neil were so iconic and this genuinely made me smile.
— Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) July 13, 2026
RIP Dr. Grant. Thanks for making my childhood epic and my adult life thoughtful. pic.twitter.com/gy37r9xWEe
There are a myriad of videos online featuring Neill being charming and fun...
Exit, pursued by a T-Rex
— australian kitsch 🦘 (@OzKitsch) July 13, 2026
RIP Sam Neill pic.twitter.com/LE3D2wGAVm
... but there's a clip going around of him being asked a simple question, and he gives an answer that, today, some would take as scandalous, given modern attitudes.
In the clip, the girl asks him what the best lesson he learned from his parents was, which makes him misty-eyed for a moment, and he confesses he doesn't understand why. He goes on to tell a story about his time in college, where he was more interested in goofing around and chasing skirts than actually getting his studies done. By the time exams rolled around, he said he had nothing to show for it, at least collegiately.
When he goes home before exams, he's panic-stricken enough that his mother asks him what's going on. When he explains to her his mistake and that he's on the verge of a breakdown, her response is simple:
"Well, you're just going to have to pull yourself together, aren't you?"
I always think of this when I hear Sam Neill’s name. RIP to a true talent. pic.twitter.com/fzRHaB8rAS
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) July 13, 2026
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The funny thing about this is that this little piece of advice would be shrugged off at any other point in time in history. The obvious move is to pull yourself together and do what you have to do.
But when I thought about it more, the story started becoming a bit more important. Neill grew up in a time when that was the norm. There wasn't a huge focus on mental health, external help wasn't a massive industry, SSRIs and mood-altering medications were hardly the norm... yet a young Sam Neill still needed to be told that.
"You're just going to have to pull yourself together."
Saying that to someone young today, and you could be greeted with outrage.
Why?
Because it flies in the face of the pop-culture habit of imposing victimhood on yourself, even if you're responsible for the actions that led you to the bad place you're in.
But while help is always good, the advice Neill got is honestly still the best. Use your wit and experience, summon up your courage, and do the work. It's okay to lean on others for support, but ultimately, you're the driver of your own destiny. You will succeed and fail based on how much you truly want it, and if you keep pushing hard and do the work, you will succeed.
Your self-confidence, lack of anxiety, and better work ethic grow every time you're better than the person you were yesterday. The only person victimizing you is yourself. You have the power to be something better.
A simple piece of advice to be sure, but it's one that I feel new generations need to hear more and more. They're encouraged to roll over and panic, cry, and blame, but ultimately, the only person who can truly get you out of your situation is you.
To me, that's a much more comforting thought, because it means the power is mine, not someone else's, and I feel like so many have been convinced they're powerless.
