Actor Sam Neill, who died Monday at the age of 78, was a prolific actor, starring in more than 150 films and television works over five decades. Born in Northern Ireland and raised in New Zealand, he was known for his ability to use his rugged charm (and unique accent) in diverse roles ranging from blockbuster action films to classic horror movies with wide popular appeal. In a statement to the Chicago Tribune in 1995, Neill said: 'I never had a specific image, and I never sought to create or possess one; that gave me tremendous freedom to choose what I liked at any time.' That spirit of curiosity and flexibility accompanied him throughout his career.

Below is a list of some of his most memorable works.

Film: 'Jurassic Park' (1993)

Neill shot to stardom with his portrayal of paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant – a realistic, grumpy yet lovable character – in 'Jurassic Park'; a film that achieved massive global success for director Steven Spielberg and launched one of the most enduring and successful film franchises in Hollywood history. In this film centered on giant creatures and adapted from Michael Crichton's novel, Neill starred alongside Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, and Samuel L. Jackson; a diverse group of characters gathered to evaluate a highly secret theme park where dinosaurs have been revived for 'theoretical' scientific purposes, but primarily for profit. When things go wrong and spiral out of control, they find themselves fighting for survival and escaping from these prehistoric monsters.

Neill later reprised the same character in 'Jurassic Park III' (2001) and 'Jurassic World Dominion' (2022). In a statement to the New York Times in 2022, Neill said: 'The "Jurassic Park" films are often known as dinosaur movies, but if you're not interested in the human characters, these films won't succeed. The dinosaurs play supporting roles, albeit amazing ones.'

Film: 'Event Horizon' (1997)

Neill lent his talents to a journey into outer space in this film that blends science fiction and horror with a stunning style, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. Although the film was a commercial and critical failure upon release – with a New York Times critic writing that Anderson 'drowns almost every scene in flashy visual effects in a futile attempt to mask the intellectual poverty' – it later became a cult classic highly appreciated by a wide audience.

The film is set in 2047, where Neill plays Dr. Weir, a mentally disturbed scientist who recently lost his wife to suicide. Weir is called upon to join a secret rescue mission to find the spaceship 'Event Horizon' – a ship he designed himself that disappeared years ago on its maiden voyage, before suddenly and mysteriously appearing near Neptune. Weir had equipped the ship with a magnetic space-folding device that allows crossing vast distances in an instant. The mission members are unaware that the ship has fallen under the control of a conscious, evil force that will soon begin psychological terror against them. Neill's performance – portraying a broken man who transforms into the embodiment of absolute evil, in a radical and stunning departure from the composed and reliable Dr. Grant he played in Jurassic Park – is shocking, even legendary in the eyes of genre fans.

In the film 'The Hunt for Red October' (IMDb)

Film: 'The Hunt for Red October' (1990)

A few years before achieving blockbuster success, Neill starred in this submarine thriller and espionage film set during the Cold War, alongside Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, and James Earl Jones. The film is adapted from a novel by Tom Clancy and directed by John McTiernan.

Neill plays the Soviet commander Borodin – an idealistic character with quiet dignity – as the second-in-command to Captain Marco Ramius (played by Sean Connery). Ramius leads a mutiny aboard the submarine 'Red October', which is equipped with enough missiles to destroy most major American cities, in addition to a highly advanced technical system that allows it to evade detection. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Neill's performance – portraying an officer loyal to his comrade to the last – is his delivery of what is arguably the film's most enduring line: 'I would have liked to see Montana.'

From the film 'In the Mouth of Madness' (IMDb)

Film: 'In the Mouth of Madness' (1995)

This film is the third and final installment of what director John Carpenter called his 'Apocalypse Trilogy', preceded by 'The Thing' (1982) and 'Prince of Darkness' (1987). Neill plays John Trent, an arrogant and skeptical insurance investigator tasked with finding the famous author Sutter Cane – a horror writer mimicking Stephen King's style – after his recent disappearance. In this story exploring themes of the boundaries of reality and the power of mass media, Cane's readers are increasingly driven mad by his storytelling style. It doesn't take long for Trent to begin losing his mental balance as this strange phenomenon permeates his being; giving Neill another chance to showcase his superb ability to shift the character from one extreme to another – a chilling and awe-inspiring performance, similar to his work in 'Event Horizon' and 'The Piano'.

Sam Neill appeared in two seasons of the series 'Peaky Blinders' (IMDb)

Series: 'Peaky Blinders' (2013-2014)