Sam Neill And Noriko Watanabe Were Almost Married For Three Decades

Sam Neill, born Nigel John Dermot, is a famous New Zealand actor, producer and director. He is best known for his role as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park trilogy. On the other hand, Sam started his acting career in 1975. He gained recognition after starring in the movie Sleeping Dogs in 1977.

Sam has starred in several major Hollywood films and has worked on television series such as Peaky Blinders. The Simpsons and Rick and Morty are two of the most popular TV shows he has voiced.

Besides an illustrious acting career, Sam Neill also has a short history of relationships with women and marriage. He was in a long-term relationship with actress Lisa Harrow. In addition, Sam has been married to Noriko Watanabe, a Japanese makeup artist, for almost three decades. The couple welcomed a child together in their marriage.

Noriko Watanabe

As a stylist from Japan

Noriko Watanabe, Sam Neill’s ex-wife, is a hair and cosmetics stylist from Tokyo, Japan. Noriko has worked in many Hollywood films as a makeup artist. She may have grown up in the country of the rising sun before moving to the United States to pursue her future.

Then Watanabe’s first notable credit came in 1988 with the film Eternal Secret Family. Since then, she has worked as a makeup artist for many films, styling the hair of celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet and Benedict Cumberbatch. Noriko also appeared in the TV series “Top of the Lake.” Noriko’s friend and film director won the prestigious Silver Lion Award for Best Director for the film The Power of the Dog. Sam Neill’s ex-wife works in the film’s makeup department and has a great relationship with Jane. In addition, Watanabe also sent a photo to congratulate Jane’s achievements.

In addition, Noriko Watanabe has been recognized for her contributions. In 2006, Watanabe won the Hollywood Film Award for Best Picture Hair and Makeup for his work in the film Hacksaw Ridge.

Is this Sam Neill’s ex-wife?

Noriko Watanabe met Sam Neill, her ex, on the set of one of her movies. In 1989, while filming Dead Calm, she met Sam, who was immediately attracted to her attractiveness.

The couple married in a private ceremony in 1989. However, this was not their first marriage. Noriko was divorced before marrying Sam. She also has a daughter named Maiko Spencer from a previous marriage that ended in divorce. On the other hand, Noriko Watanabe’s ex-husband had a brief relationship with actress Lisa Harrow from 1980 to 1989, during which time they had a son, Tim Neill.

Noriko Watanabe

Unfortunately, couples who once believed they had found their ideal life partner divorced in 2017 after nearly three decades of marriage. Noriko’s ex-partner has moved since their divorce and is currently dating Australian political writer Laura Tingle.

As for the makeup artist, she is currently single. Moreover, Sam Neill’s ex-wife is quite close to her daughter Maiko and always sends her pictures.

With Sam, I welcomed a daughter.

For nearly thirty years, the makeup artist and her ex-husband, Sam Neill, have been married. During their time together, they were blessed with a baby girl, Elena Neill. She was born in Australia on January 10, 1991. Noriko Watanabe’s daughter has appeared a few times in films. Elena also collaborated with her mother on the TV series Top of the Lake, where Noriko worked as the main stylist in 2017. Her daughter appeared in the episode as a tattoo artist. On the other hand, Elena hasn’t appeared in any project or movie in 5 years since she last appeared.

In addition, Noriko has a grandchild through her daughter Elena. Her ex-husband Sam mentioned the birth of a grandson a few years ago. He said that he and his then-wife, Noriko Watanabe, were delighted with their new addition. While the former couple is no longer together, we wish Sam Neill’s ex-wife, Noriko Watanabe, the best of luck in her future career.