Gillian Armstrong paid tribute to actor Sam Neill after his loss in 2026. Armstrong noted that she found it hard to accept he was gone the following day. Her heartfelt message appeared in IMDb reporting shortly after the announcement.
Multiple news organisations listed Neill in tribute roundups of actors and public figures lost during 2026. Media lists from outlets including Yahoo, The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Us Weekly, and Business Insider featured Neill together with other notable stars lost this year. The media coverage honoured late celebrities such as Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, and Hayden Panettiere.