Famous New Zealander Actors

Active in the film industry for over 35 years, Russell Crowe is an actor, film producer, director, and musician. Gaining international fame with his role in the epic historical film Gladiator in 2000, he is the recipient of several awards, including an Academy Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award.

Karl Urban is one of the most popular actors from New Zealand. He established himself in the American film industry by playing the role of Éomer in two of the three Lord of the Rings film series. Apart from acting, he plays a key role in supporting The KidsCan Charitable Trust, which provides essentials to over 16,000 disadvantaged children.

Sam Neill is a New Zealand actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park film series. Sam Neill is also known for his work in TV series like The Simpsons and Peaky Blinders. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the New Zealand Film Award.

KJ Apa is a New Zealand actor, musician, and singer. He is known for his portrayal of Archie Andrews in the popular American teen drama TV series Riverdale, which earned him the Breakthrough Performance award at the 2017 Saturn Awards. His performance in the series also earned him nominations at the Teen Choice Awards and MTV Movie & TV Awards.

Daniel Gillies is a Canadian-New Zealander actor. Despite being born into a family of medical professionals, Daniel Gillies decided to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. Although he initially had to work as a waiter and dishwasher, Gillies chose not to give up and eventually established himself as an actor.

Martin Henderson is a New Zealand actor best known for his portrayal of Dr. Nathan Riggs in the popular American medical drama TV series, Grey's Anatomy. He has also played important roles in popular films like Bride and Prejudice, Everest, and Miracles from Heaven. Over the years, Martin Henderson has received nominations for the AFI Award and FCCA Award.

Jemaine Clement is a New Zealand actor, director, musician, and comedian. One half of the Grammy Award-winning and popular comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, Clement has created many comedy series for HBO and BBC. Also known for his good looks, Jemaine Clement was named in Who magazine's 100 Sexiest People list in 2008.

Cliff Curtis is a New Zealand actor whose Māori ethnicity has allowed him to play characters of various ethnicities, including Samoan, Mexican-American, Arab, and Indian. He is best known for his portrayal of Genesis in the critically acclaimed 2014 drama film The Dark Horse, which earned him the Asia Pacific Screen Award under the Best Performance by an Actor category.

Antony Starr is a New Zealand actor whose portrayal of Jeremy King in the 2012 Australian mystery drama film Wish You Were Here earned him the Film Critics Circle of Australia Award and the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award. Antony Starr is best known for playing Homelander in the American superhero television series, The Boys.

Temuera Morrison is a New Zealand singer and actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jango Fett and Boba Fett in the famous Star Wars multimedia franchise. Temuera Morrison has also voiced Boba Fett in several video games, such as Star Wars: Empire at War and Star Wars Battlefront. 

Manu Bennett is a New Zealand actor best known for playing important roles in epic fantasy works like Spartacus, The Shannara Chronicles, Arrow, and The Hobbit trilogy. Apart from playing Azog the Defiler in the Hobbit trilogy, Manu Bennett also voiced the character in the 2014 video game, Lego The Hobbit.

Jay Ryan is a New Zealand actor best known for playing important roles in TV series like Neighbours, Go Girls, Top of the Lake, and Mary Kills People. Jay Ryan and the cast of Top of the Lake received the Equity Ensemble Award under the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Miniseries or Telemovie category in 2014.

Rhys Darby is a New Zealand comedian and actor. He is known for his portrayal of Murray Hewitt in the TV series Flight of the Conchords. As a comedian, Darby is renowned for his physical comedy routines accompanied with sound effects and mime. In 2012, Darby was honored at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival with the Fred (Dagg) Award.

Julian Dennison is a New Zealand actor whose portrayal of Solomon in his debut film Shopping earned him the New Zealand Film Award under the Best Supporting Actor category. He then went on to appear in popular films like Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Deadpool 2. Julian Dennison has also appeared in several commercials for companies like Air New Zealand.

New Zealand actor Marton Csokas was born to an Australian mother and a Hungarian father. Known for his roles in series such as Shortland Street and films such as The Equalizer, he chiefly plays the villain. He has his own theater company and has played an award-winning role in the play Uncle Vanya.

Alan Dale is a New Zealand actor best known for his portrayal of Jim Robinson in the popular Australian television soap opera, Neighbours. After realizing that he had become stereotyped as Jim Robinson in New Zealand and Australia, Alan Dale moved to the US where he achieved international recognition after appearing in movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Craig Parker is a New Zealand actor best known for his appearances in epic films and TV series like the Lord of the Rings film series, Legend of the Seeker, and Spartacus. He has received a couple of New Zealand Film and TV Award nominations for his work in television. Craig Parker is also renowned for his theatre work.

Michael Dorman is a New Zealand actor known for playing NASA astronaut Gordo Stevens in the American science fiction drama, For All Mankind. He is also known for his portrayal of John Tavner in Patriot. Apart from acting, Michael Dorman has also tried his hand at playing the guitar and singing.

Lee Tamahori is a New Zealand filmmaker who achieved international recognition in 2002 when he directed the 20th film in the popular James Bond series, Die Another Day. Lee Tamahori is also known for directing successful and popular movies like Once Were Warriors, Along Came a Spider, and Mahana.

Pana Hema Taylor is a New Zealand actor of Māori heritage. He is best known for his portrayal of Nasir in TV series Spartacus: Vengeance and Spartacus: War of the Damned. He has also played important roles in other popular TV series like The Brokenwood Mysteries and Westside.

Bruce Spence is a New Zealand-Australian actor who has appeared in more than 100 films and television series. He is also renowned for his theatre work and has voiced characters in a couple of video games as well. Bruce Spence is best known for his portrayal of The Gyro Captain in the 1981 Australian post-apocalyptic action film Mad Max 2.

Pua Magasiva was a New Zealand actor best remembered for his portrayal of Shane Clarke in the popular American TV series, Power Rangers Ninja Storm. Pua Magasiva, who had a troubled relationship with his wife Elizabeth Sadler, committed suicide on 11 May 2019 at the age of 38.

Aaron Jeffery is a New Zealand-Australian actor best known for his portrayal of Alex Ryan in the popular drama TV series McLeod's Daughters. The series earned Aaron Jeffery the prestigious Silver Logie under the Most Popular Actor in a Drama Series category in 2004 and 2007.

Dean O'Gorman is a New Zealand artist, actor, and photographer. He is best known for his portrayal of Fíli in The Hobbit film series. He has also played important roles in popular series like Young Hercules and The Almighty Johnsons. As a photographer and artist, O'Gorman has displayed his works in places like the Page Blackie Gallery in New Zealand.

Beulah Koale is a New Zealand actor who achieved international recognition after playing Officer Junior Reigns in the popular American action police procedural TV series Hawaii Five-0. He then reprised his role as Junior Reigns in one of the episodes of the action drama series, Magnum P.I.

Kevin Smith was a New Zealand musician and actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the god of war, Ares, in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. He reprised his role as Ares in the series' spin-offs, Young Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess. Smith suffered a fatal fall in 2002. His life and career inspired a documentary titled Remembering Kev.

Daniel Logan is a New Zealand-born American actor best known for playing Boba Fett in the 2002 American epic space opera film Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, which earned him a Young Artist Award nomination under the Best Performance in a Feature Film category. Daniel Logan was just 15 when he played the iconic character.

Grant Bowler is a New Zealand-Australian television presenter and actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Constable Wayne Patterson in the Australian police drama series, Blue Heelers. As a presenter, Grant Bowler is renowned for hosting reality game shows, such as The Amazing Race Australia and The Mole Australia.

Robbie Magasiva is a Samoan-New Zealand actor known for his association with a comedy troupe called Naked Samoans. Apart from acting in popular films like The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Robbie Magasiva has also appeared in theatre and on television. Magasiva became a household name in New Zealand when he started co-presenting Tagata Pasifika with Beatrice Faumuina.

Sala Baker is a New Zealand stuntman and actor best known for playing Sauron in the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. Apart from playing the primary antagonist in the trilogy, Baker has also played a Gondorian, several Orcs, and one of the Rohirrim. The recipient of Screen Actors Guild Award, Sala Baker has also performed in other popular movies.

Craig Hall is a New Zealand film and TV actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Clint in the popular TV series, The Strip. He has also appeared in other popular series like Xena: Warrior Princess, Underbelly: Razor, and A Place to Call Home.

Tana Umaga is a New Zealand retired rugby union footballer who served as the captain of the national rugby union team. After retiring as a player, Umaga took up coaching career and served as the head coach of the Blues from 2016 to 2018. In 2021, he was appointed as the assistant coach of the Samoa national rugby union team.

Lawrence Makoare is a New Zealand actor best known for his work in The Lord of the Rings movie series where he has played several important antagonists like the Witch King of Angmar and Lurtz the Uruk-Hai. Starting his career as a stuntman, Lawrence Makoare has also played prominent roles in The Hobbit film series. 

James Rolleston is a New Zealand actor best known for his work in popular films like The Dark Horse and Boy. Apart from appearing in movies, he has also appeared in television commercials. Rolleston's acting career suffered a setback in 2016 when he was involved in a motor accident that left him with injuries to his brain and lower body.

John Tui is a New Zealand actor best known for his portarayal of Commander Anubis in Power Rangers S.P.D. He has also played important roles in popular films like The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and Hobbs & Shaw. John Tui has also appeared in theatre, playing Marcus Brutus in Julius Caesar and the title role in Othello.   

Lucky Diamond Rich is a New Zealand street performer, performance artist, and international arts festival performer. Among his famous acts are juggling on a unicycle and sword swallowing. He is best known as the most tattooed person in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records; he has held the record since 2006.

Chris Rankin is a New Zealand-born British actor best known for his portrayal of Percy Weasley in the famous Harry Potter film series. Chris Rankin, who has been acting since his school days, is credited with co-founding a theatre company named Painted Horse UK.

Jay Laga'aia is a New Zealand-Australian singer and actor. He achieved international recognition when he played Captain Typho in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and its 2005 sequel. Jay Laga'aia has become a household name in Australia for appearing in children's TV series like Jay's Jungle and Play School. 

John Clarke was a New Zealand writer, comedian, and satirist. A highly regarded writer, Clarke's work appeared on ABC in both television and radio. The recipient of three ARIA Music Awards, Clarke is best remembered for his collaboration with Bryan Dawe; the two released several comedy albums. In 2008, Clarke was made an inductee of the Logies Hall of Fame.     

Vincent Klyn is a New Zealand-born surfer and actor best known for his portrayal of the main antagonist Fender Tremolo in the 1989 American martial-arts cyberpunk film Cyborg. As a surfer, Vincent Klyn has competed in the World Wide Surf tour. At the peak of his surfing career, Klyn was one of the top five surfers in the world.

Michael Hurst is a British-born New Zealand film director, actor, and writer. He is best known for his portrayal of Iolaus in American TV series like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. As a director, Michael Hurst is renowned for directing popular TV series like Spartacus and Legend of the Seeker.

Vivian Dawson is a New Zealand model and actor. Born to a Chinese-Singaporean mother and Maori father, Dawson is best known for his portrayal of Gong Ming in one of the highest-grossing Chinese films of all time, Tiny Times 3. Vivian Dawson went on to reprise his role as Gong Ming in Tiny Times 4 and achieved popularity in China.

Oscar Kightley is a Samoan-born New Zealand television presenter, actor, director, comedian, writer, and journalist. He is best known for his portrayal of Albert in the popular comedy film Sione's Wedding, which he co-wrote with James Griffin. Kightley's contribution to New Zealand entertainment was honored by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand with a Scroll of Honour in 2019.      

Julian Arahanga is a New Zealand actor best known for playing Nig Heke in the 1994 drama film Once Were Warriors. He achieved international recognition in 1999 when he played Apoc in the science fiction action film The Matrix.

Mark Hadlow is an Australian-New Zealand comedian and actor. He is best known for playing a dwarf named Dori in The Hobbit series. He is also known for his portrayal of Harry in King Kong. For his services to the arts, Mark Hadlow was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit during the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Nathaniel Lees is a New Zealand actor and theatre director. He is best known for playing Uglúk in the second installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is also known for portraying Mifune in The Matrix trilogy. Lees' contribution to theatre in New Zealand earned him the Senior Pacific Artist Award at the Arts Pasifika Awards in 2004.

Jed Brophy is a New Zealand actor best known for playing important roles in Peter Jackson's films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Heavenly Creatures, Braindead, and King Kong. Also an important theatre actor, Brophy is renowned for his role in the popular play Skin Tight, which received the Scotsman Fringe First Award at the 1998 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 

James Napier Robertson is a New Zealand film director, writer, actor, and producer. He is best known for directing the 2014 film The Dark Horse, which earned him the Best Director and Best Screenplay awards at the New Zealand Film Awards. The film is also widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever produced in New Zealand.

Milo Cawthorne is a New Zealand actor best known for playing Ziggy Grover in the popular television series, Power Rangers RPM. He also achieved popularity for his portrayal of Milton in the 2014 horror thriller film Blood Punch, which earned him Best Actor nominations at the Hoboken International Film Festival as well as the Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards. 

Billy T. James was a New Zealand comedian, actor, musician, and entertainer. James, who played an important role in the progression of New Zealand comedy, went on to become a household name during his lifetime. In 1990, he was honored by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc with the prestigious Benny Award for excelling in the performing arts.