Star Kiwi Actors
Sam Neill
New Zealand's most-credited actors, Sam Neill was born in Ireland to a New Zealand father and English mother, but moved to New Zealand at the age of seven. He first came to attention in the New Zealand political thriller 'Sleeping Dogs' in 1977, a movie directed by Roger Donaldson. 'Sleeping Dogs' was the first New Zealand movie to be released in the US and Donaldson is now a well known Hollywood director and recently filmed "The World's Fastest Indian'. Donaldson also owns the vineyard property next-door to Neill in Queenstown where Neill has a vineyard known as Two Paddocks.
Anna Paquin
Anna Paquin was born in Winnipeg, Canada, but moved to New Zealand with her family when she was four. She was schooled in the Hutt Valley, north of Wellington. Anna was the first New Zealand actor to win an Academy Award (1994), as best supporting actress in the Jane Campion-directed film 'The Piano'. Following this success, Paquin's film career took off, however Anna continued her studies and graduated in 2000 from Windward school in California.
Anna now lives in New York and has recently begun a career as a stage actress appearing in both New York and London; however she will still be seen on the big screen.
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe was born in New Zealand, but moved to Australia at the age of four where his parents worked as caterers on film and television sets. Crowe spent his teenage years in New Zealand returning to Australia at age 18 to pursue a showbiz career. Within a year of his return, Crowe landed an onstage role in an Australian production of 'Grease'. In 1980, Crowe began singing rock as Russ Le Roq, pumping out such prescient songs as 'I Want to Be Like Marlon Brando'. Crowe also enjoyed a side gig, as lead singer for 'Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts'.
In 1985, Crowe received his first major TV role in Australian soap Neighbours and his first feature film, 'Prisoners of the Sun' soon followed in 1990.
Crowe married Danielle Spencer in 2003 and they have a son called Charles. Crowe is also the cousin of two of New Zealand's best-known former star cricketers, brothers Martin and Jeff Crowe.
Crowe filmed 'Tenderness' in May 2006 and is set to commence work on his next film, 'American Gangster', in July 2006.
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison was born in New Zealand's thermal city, Rotorua. His Maori family are well known in the New Zealand entertainment industry, and his uncle, Sir Howard Morrison, is one of the country's best-loved singers. Morrison shot to international attention with a gripping performance as Jake Heke in the 1994 film 'Once Were Warriors'. This role led to many other opportunities for Morrison such as starring in Hollywood films 'Barb Wire', 'Speed' and 'Star Wars'. Morrison was also the presenter for a TV series about Maori stories 'Mataku'.
More recently, Morrison starred as Te Kai Po in 'River Queen'. Most of the film was shot near and around the Whanganui River, which is renowned for its rich Maori history, historic sites and lush native bush.
Cliff Curtis
Curtis hit the big time in Hollywood with three big movies released in 2001: 'The Majestic,' 'Collateral Damage' and 'Training Day'. Born in Rotorua, Cliff Curtis learnt the traditional Maori fighting styles of mau rakau before studying drama in Switzerland. Curtis first came to attention in the 1994 film 'Once Were Warriors,' directed by fellow Kiwi Lee Tamahori.
Curtis has often been mistaken for Latino, Arab or Mexican ethnicity; however, he has strong ties to his homeland and Maori cultural identity.
He recently starred as Wiremu in 'River Queen' and is best known for his role as Paikea's father Porourangi in 'Whale Rider'.
Lucy Lawless
Born in Mt Albert, Auckland, Lucy was a girl of many talents studying German, French and Italian at Auckland University before commencing her television career.
Lucy made her Broadway debut as Rizzo in ‘Grease’ in 1997 after a producer of the stage show saw her sing 'I'm An Old Cowhand' on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. She found fame in the popular television series Xena, which ran from 1995 -2001.
Lucy is married to the executive producer of Xena, Robert G. Tapert and they have two sons Julius and Judah. Lucy also has a daughter Daisy from her first marriage and they all live in New Zealand.
Lucy has served the New Zealand community through her dedication to the Starship Foundation for the past 10 years, and she holds a role on the board.
Martin Henderson
Martin Henderson became a well-known New Zealand celebrity through his role as Stuart Neilson in Shortland Street from 1992 to 1995. Born and bred in Auckland, Martin moved to Sydney in 1995 to pursue his acting career. Whilst there he stared in both television series 'Sweat' and 'Kick' before venturing to Hollywood to explore his career further.
Martin moved to New York in 1997 and trained for two years at the Neighbourhood Playhouse. Since then he has starred in blockbuster movies 'The Ring', 'Little Fish' and 'Torque'. He has recently filmed 'Flyboys' which will be released in October 2006.
Keisha Castle Hughes
Keisha is the youngest person ever nominated for an Oscar. Keisha was nominated for her role in Whale Rider, in the Academy Awards' category: 'actress in a leading role'. She was up against Diane Keaton, Charlize Theron, Naomi Watts and Samantha Morton.
Whale Rider (2002) was Keisha's first acting role, and Keisha didn’t even know how to swim before starring in the movie.
Cast in the role of Paikea out of 700 girls, she was picked by the same agent who discovered Anna Paquin.
Born to a Maori mother and an English-Australian father, Keisha was four when her family moved to New Zealand and became a New Zealand citizen in 2001.
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
