He's one of the film world's most respected actors with over 30 years acting experience and an international heartthrob status despite being in his seventh decade.

Yet when he's not playing the ruthless Cardinal Wolsey in costume drama The Tudors, Sam Neill shows he can be as lax with his appearance as the next 61-year-old.

A dishevelled-looking Sam Neill catches up with the day's news while enjoying breakfast in Sydney, Australia

The Dead Calm star has been spotted sporting a few days facial growth in hometown Sydney.

In fact his appearance of black tracksuit and trainers was so low-key, onlookers could have been forgiven for not identifying the man who has romanced Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Holly Hunter and Keira Knightley - albeit on screen.

The thinking woman's Harrison Ford? A well-groomed Sam

The prolific Neill seemed to be in his own world as he caught up with the day's news over breakfast in Sydney's exclusive Double Bay area.

With only weeks away until his 62nd birthday and a busy schedule that includes filming TV series of Robinson Crusoe, we're hoping Neill will ditch the tracksuit and make a swift return to his usual well-groomed self.

Sam as Cardinal Wolsey to Jonathan Rhys Meyers's Henry VIII in the popular small screen costume drama The Tudors