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.
Taika Waititi is an actor, filmmaker, and comedian. One of the most popular New Zealand film personalities of all time, Waititi is renowned for directing films like Thor: Ragnarok and Boy. He has won prestigious awards including a BAFTA Award, an Academy Award, and a Grammy Award. In 2022, Waititi was included in Time magazine's 100 most influential people list.
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.
New Zealand director/producer Peter Jackson is best known for his three-time Academy Award-winning work in The Return of the King, the third part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The third-highest-grossing director ever, he is also the man behind The Hobbit trilogy and the 2005 film King Kong.
Anna Paquin is a New Zealand-Canadian actress. She started her career as a child actress and became the second-youngest winner in the history of the Academy Awards when she won an Oscar at the age of 11 under the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance as Flora McGrath in Jane Campion's 1993 period drama film The Piano.
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.
![Lucy Lawless Lucy Lawless](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/lucy-lawless-1.jpg)
Lucy Lawless is a New Zealand singer and actress best known for her portrayal of Xena in the popular TV series Xena: Warrior Princess. She is also known for playing Lucretia in Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which earned her the 2010 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television. Lucy Lawless is also involved in charity work.
![KJ Apa KJ Apa](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/kj-apa-51706-1.jpg)
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.
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.
![Thomasin McKenzie Thomasin McKenzie](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/thomasin-mckenzie-50471-1.jpg)
Thomasin McKenzie is a New Zealand actress best known for playing Tom in the 2018 American film, Leave No Trace. Her performance earned her the National Board of Review Award under the Breakthrough Performance category. Thomasin McKenzie was also honored by the Seattle Film Critics Society with the Best Youth Performance award in 2019 for her performance in Jojo Rabbit.
![Melanie Lynskey Melanie Lynskey](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/melanie-lynskey-12849-1.jpg)
Melanie Lynskey is a New Zealand actress best known for her portrayal of Rose in the popular American sitcom Two and a Half Men. Over the years, she has won several prestigious awards such as a Critics' Choice Award, Hollywood Film Award, and Gracie Award.
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.
![Antony Starr Antony Starr](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/antony-starr-1.jpg)
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 Temuera Morrison](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/temuera-morrison-1.jpg)
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.
![Cliff Curtis Cliff Curtis](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/cliff-curtis-11880-1.jpg)
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.
![Martin Henderson Martin Henderson](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/martin-henderson-1.jpg)
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.
![Manu Bennett Manu Bennett](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/manu-bennett-1.jpg)
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.
![Rhys Darby Rhys Darby](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/rhys-darby-13174-1.jpg)
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.
![Jay Ryan Jay Ryan](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/jay-ryan-1.jpg)
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.
![Zoë Bell Zoë Bell](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/zo-bell-1.jpg)
Zoë Bell is a New Zealand actress and stuntwoman. She is best known for her stunt work in films like Kill Bill and Xena: Warrior Princess where she doubled for Uma Thurman and Lucy Lawless respectively. Zoë Bell is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as World Stunt Awards and Women in Film and Television New Zealand Award.
New Zealand model and actress, Rachel Hunter, is best known as the host of the TV show Rachel Hunter's Tour of Beauty. Pretty and confident as a young girl, she began modeling as a teenager. She has worked with Cover Girl cosmetics and has been featured on several magazine covers, including Vogue, Elle, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, and Playboy.
![Julian Dennison Julian Dennison](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/julian-dennison-1.jpg)
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.
Kerry Bishé is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Donna Clark in the period drama TV series, Halt and Catch Fire. After being born in New Zealand, Kerry Bishé moved to the United States, where she established herself in the entertainment industry, appearing in films like Argo, for which she received the prestigious Screen Actors Guild Award.
![Richard Curtis Richard Curtis](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/richard-curtis-8952-1.jpg)
Richard Curtis is a New Zealand-born British screenwriter, film director, and producer. Widely regarded as one of Britain's most popular and successful comedy screenwriters, Curtis is best known for writing romantic comedy films like Bridget Jones's Diary, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Love Actually. Richard Curtis is a recipient of several prestigious awards including the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award.
![Lesley-Ann Brandt Lesley-Ann Brandt](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/lesley-ann-brandt-122512-1.jpg)
South African-born New Zealand actor Lesley-Ann Brandt was first noticed for her performance as Naevia in the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. She later soared to fame as the Vertigo/DC Comics character Mazikeen in the hit Netflix series Lucifer. She has also appeared in a couple of music videos.
![Alan Dale Alan Dale](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/alan-dale-1.jpg)
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.
![Jane Campion Jane Campion](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/jane-campion-1.jpg)
In 1993, Jane Campion became the first female filmmaker to be honored with the Palme d'Or for her film The Piano, which also earned her an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. In 2022, Campion became the first woman to win Oscars for both screenwriting and directing when her film The Power of the Dog earned her the Best Director award.
![Luciane Buchanan Luciane Buchanan](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/luciane-buchanan-122544-1.jpg)
Better known as Tape Face, New Zealand-based comedian and mime Sam Wills had begun his career at 13, as an apprentice clown. He boasts of a diploma in New Circus and doesn’t give interviews. He was once accused of fraud for using a stand-in instead of performing at a show.
![Craig Parker Craig Parker](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/craig-parker-1.jpg)
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.
![Marton Csokas Marton Csokas](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/marton-csokas-1.jpg)
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.
![Michael Dorman Michael Dorman](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/michael-dorman.jpg)
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.
![Keisha Castle-Hughes Keisha Castle-Hughes](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/keisha-castle-hughes-9253-1.jpg)
Australian-born New Zealand actor Keisha Castle-Hughes is best known for her performance as Paikea in Whale Rider, which earned her an Academy Award nomination at age 13, making her the youngest to achieve the feat back then. She also made waves as Obara Sand in Game of Thrones.
![Pamela Stephenson Pamela Stephenson](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/pamela-stephenson-1.jpg)
Pamela Stephenson is a New Zealand-born writer, psychologist, and performer. Stephenson is best known as a comedienne who achieved immense popularity during the 1980s when she appeared in comedy films and shows like History of the World, Part I and Not the Nine O'Clock News. As a writer, Pamela Stephenson has been contributing to publications like Psychologies and The Guardian.
![Anna-Louise Plowman Anna-Louise Plowman](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/anna-louise-plowman-1.jpg)
![Lee Tamahori Lee Tamahori](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/lee-tamahori-11622-1.jpg)
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.
![Frankie Adams Frankie Adams](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/frankie-adams-1.jpg)
![Danielle Cormack Danielle Cormack](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/danielle-cormack-1.jpg)
Best known for her role of Ephiny in Xena: Warrior Princess, New Zealand actor Danielle Cormack has also made her presence felt in theater, with plays such as Trainspotting, A Streetcar Named Desire, and East. She owns a production company and is also associated with initiatives such as Childfund.
![Rose Matafeo Rose Matafeo](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/rose-matafeo-122355-1.jpg)
![Rebecca Gibney Rebecca Gibney](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/rebecca-gibney-1.jpg)
Martin Campbell is a New Zealand film and TV director based in UK. He directed the British miniseries Edge of Darkness, for which he won a BAFTA. Beginning his career directing softcore sex comedies, he eventually graduated to directing popular action films, including two James Bond films. He also directed two Zorro films.
![Pana Hema-Taylor Pana Hema-Taylor](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/pana-hema-taylor.jpg)
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.
![Pua Magasiva Pua Magasiva](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/pua-magasiva.jpg)
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.
![Fran Walsh Fran Walsh](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/fran-walsh-1.jpg)
Fran Walsh is a New Zealand film producer and screenwriter. Along with her partner Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh has produced films like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which earned her three Academy Awards in 2004.
![Michelle Ang Michelle Ang](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/michelle-ang-19844-1.jpg)
![Bruce Spence Bruce Spence](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/bruce-spence-1.jpg)
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.
![Aaron Jeffery Aaron Jeffery](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/aaron-jeffery-1.jpg)
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.