Tuesday 14 June 2022 12:07 AM Sam Neill reveals why he stopped using his real name in primary school trends now
As the star of blockbuster films like current U.S. box office leader Jurassic World: Dominion, his name is known the world over.
But Sam Neill was once known by a different name - one that he was forced to change while he was attending primary school in New Zealand.
The Event Horizon actor, 74, was actually christened Nigel John Dermott Neill.
Sam Neill (pictured in 2019) was once known by a different name - one that he was forced to change while he was attending primary school in New Zealand
Sam was asked why he changed his name during a 2004 interview on Andrew Denton's Enough Rope.
'My best friend at school was also called Nigel, which was confusing,' he explained. 'So I called him Bill and he called me Sam.'
He also admitted his birth name made him a target for bullies.
'You know, if you're called Nigel - and if there are any Nigels out there, they know of what I speak - you're just an absolute prime target for being picked on,' Sam said.
The Event Horizon actor, 74, was actually christened Nigel John Dermott Neill. (Seen here in a childhood photo)
Meanwhile, a new trailer for the highly anticipated Australian-made Foxtel Original series The Twelve was released last month.
Neill, who plays a lawyer, leads an impressive ensemble in the 10-part courtroom drama, which will stream on Foxtel from Tuesday, June 21.
The Northern Ireland-born star will share the screen with Brendan Cowell (Game of Thrones), Pallavi Sharda (Lion), Marta Dusseldorp (Wentworth) and Kate Mulvany (Lambs of God).
