Beloved actor Sir Sam Neill has posthumously won a Silver Logie Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama at the 2026 TV WEEK Logie Awards, and it’s a fitting send-off for the Kiwi who an entire generation fell in love with.
He won for his portrayal of the character Brett Colby in The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer, and his dear friend and colleague Heather Mitchell accepted the award on his behalf, starting the acceptance speech with saying, “I’m so sorry I’m not Sam”.
Heather Mitchell’s acceptance speech for Sam Neill’s Logie
“This is an indication of our connection. He was incredibly proud of this show. Of each season of it. He relished the character of Brett Colby and thought he was a very clever man. Also a 007 kind of person. Not only does he have that gentle command and espionage techniques. He also had a warmth and a generosity,” Mitchell continued.
“He would want to thank his audience for the many years of the support and love they have showed him. Above all, he would want to support his fellow actors.”
“He loved actors, he supported actors. I know he found their company the most fulfilling company.”
“He loved being on set and I know he would want to thank every single crew member, every single person who worked on The Twelve and made it such a special, special show.”
“He has one of his most beautiful daughters here, Mia and Lauren. I know he would want to thank you both very much.”
“I’m not here to speak about Sam but I know how much this would mean. Looking out here at all of you and thinking of all the viewers at home, I know his heart would be so full and he would want to pour you all wine and embrace you all,” she concluded.
A fitting farewell to a legend
The Kiwi actor passed away on July 12, much to the surprise of fans around the world who knew his face from the iconic Jurassic Park franchise.
He also played roles such as Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders and the title role in the miniseries Merlin, and his critical acclaim on the world stage was secured his status as a national treasure down here in Australia, embracing him as if he were our own.
In a way, he was an honorary Australian, and his posthumous Logie win a symbol of that.
Sam Neill played Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. (Credit: Getty)
How did Sam Neill die?
Sam died from pneumonia in July after a recent battle with stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma — a type of blood cancer — however, he had only just announced in April that he was in remission.
This made the news of his death even more shocking for fans.
The win marks his fourth Logie award.
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