New Zealand actors who were born in 1980
Here are 6 famous actors from New Zealand were born in 1980:
Pua Magasiva
Pua Magasiva (August 10, 1980 Apia-) is a New Zealand actor.
He was best known for his role as the Red Ranger in the television series "Power Rangers Ninja Storm". Magasiva was born in Apia, Samoa, and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. He began his acting career on the New Zealand soap opera "Shortland Street" in 2000, playing the role of nurse Vinnie Kruse. Magasiva also hosted the New Zealand version of "Dancing With the Stars" in 2006 and 2007. He passed away in May 2019 at the age of 38.
Magasiva had a successful career as a voice-over artist, lending his voice to several animated TV series and films. He also appeared in over a dozen theater productions in New Zealand, showcasing his talents as a singer and dancer. In addition to his acting career, Magasiva was a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness, sharing his own struggles with depression openly on social media. He was married twice, with his second marriage being to Lizz Sadler, whom he wed in April 2018. Magasiva's sudden and untimely death shocked the entertainment industry and his fans around the world, sparking an outpouring of grief and tributes from his colleagues and loved ones.
Nick Miller
Nick Miller (August 29, 1980 New Zealand-) is a New Zealand actor.
He is best known for his roles in the television series, "Power Rangers Mystic Force," "Legend of the Seeker," and "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." Miller started his acting career in his early 20s and has since pursued a successful career in the entertainment industry. In addition to his work in television, he has also appeared in several films, including "The Last Samurai" and "30 Days of Night: Dark Days." When he is not acting, Nick enjoys surfing and spending time with his family.
Nick Miller was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up in a family of four siblings. He inherited his good looks and talent from his mother, a former beauty queen, and his father, a talented athlete. As a child, Nick showed an interest in performing and often entertained his family with his impressions and comedic acts.
After finishing high school, Nick pursued his passion for acting and attended drama school. He landed his first role in the New Zealand TV series, "Xena: Warrior Princess," in 2001, which opened doors for other acting opportunities.
In 2006, Nick moved to Australia to further his career and appeared in several TV shows and films, including "Sea Patrol" and the Australian hit drama series, "Melbourne Killing."
Nick's breakthrough role came in 2008 when he was cast as Nick Russell in the popular children's show, "Power Rangers Mystic Force." He went on to star in several other popular TV series, including "Legend of the Seeker" and "Spartacus: Blood and Sand."
Apart from his acting career, Nick is also passionate about surfing and has participated in several surfing competitions in Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, he is a family man and often spends time with his wife and two children.
Mark Wells
Mark Wells (September 14, 1980 Auckland-) also known as Mark Jared Finlay Wells is a New Zealand actor.
He appeared in several popular New Zealand television shows including "Shortland Street" and "McLeod's Daughters". In 2009, he landed his first major film role in the hit vampire movie "Daybreakers" alongside Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe. Wells is also a talented musician and has released several albums as a singer-songwriter. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing and exploring the New Zealand countryside.
In addition to his work in acting and music, Mark Wells is also a philanthropist. He has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Starship Foundation, which supports New Zealand's national children's hospital. Wells has also participated in fundraising events to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. He uses his platform as a public figure to advocate for mental health awareness and encourage people to seek help when they need it. Wells has received recognition for his philanthropic work and was awarded the Kiwibank Local Hero Award in 2019 for his contributions to the community.
Luke Hawker
Luke Hawker (November 30, 1980 Masterton-) is a New Zealand actor.
Hawker is best known for his work in motion capture and performance capture, where he has portrayed a variety of characters in films such as The Hobbit trilogy, Avatar, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has also worked as a stunt performer and choreographer on numerous films, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Mad Max: Fury Road. In addition to his film work, Hawker is an accomplished stage actor and has performed in productions such as Romeo and Juliet and The Phantom of the Opera. He currently resides in Australia.
Hawker's interest in acting began at a young age when he became involved in school plays and local theater productions. After completing his education, he moved to Wellington, New Zealand, where he landed his first major role as a stunt performer in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This experience led to more work in the film industry, particularly in the field of motion capture, where his movements and facial expressions are used to create realistic computer-generated characters.
Hawker's performance capture work in Avatar was particularly noteworthy, as he played three different Na'vi characters: Sek'mut, Dragon Gunship Pilot, and the Troupe Leader. He also provided motion capture for Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, two of the highest-grossing films of all time.
In addition to his film work, Hawker has continued to perform on stage, appearing in productions such as Cats, Les Miserables, and Mary Poppins. He is also heavily involved in the development of new technologies for performance capture, working as a consultant for companies such as Weta Digital and The Third Floor. Despite his success, Hawker maintains a low profile and is known for his humility and dedication to his craft.
Steven O'Donnell
Steven O'Donnell (December 5, 1980 New Zealand-) also known as Stephen O'Donnell, Bajo or Steven O'Donnell III is a New Zealand actor and presenter.
He is most famous for being a host on Good Game, an Australian television program about video games. O'Donnell started his career in the entertainment industry as a writer and actor for a New Zealand comedy group called Viva la Dirt League. He has also provided voice acting for video games such as "Battlefield V" and "Gears 5". In addition, O'Donnell has made guest appearances on various TV shows, including "Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation" and "The Chaser's War on Everything." He is known for his humorous personality and his passion for gaming, which has made him popular among his fans.
Furthermore, Steven O'Donnell is also a talented musician and has released music under the name "Bajo". He released his debut EP, "The Awakening", in 2017, which was met with positive reviews from critics and fans alike. O'Donnell is also a keen traveler and has documented his travels around the world on his social media platforms. He has participated in various charity events and has helped raise funds for causes such as mental health and cancer research. In 2013, O'Donnell was named as one of the 100 most influential people in the Australian gaming industry. He continues to be an active contributor to the entertainment industry and remains a beloved figure to his fans around the world.
Paul Allan Barlow
Paul Allan Barlow (February 21, 1980 Otahuhu-) otherwise known as Paul A. Barlow is a New Zealand film producer and actor.
He began his career as an actor in New Zealand before transitioning to producing. As a producer, he has worked on several successful films and TV series, including the critically acclaimed drama series "The Blue Rose" and the horror-comedy film "Housebound". Barlow has also been involved in producing documentaries and short films. He is known for his ability to identify talented filmmakers and help them bring their projects to fruition. In addition to his work in the film industry, Barlow is also a prolific writer, having written several screenplays and short stories. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and exploring the New Zealand wilderness.
Barlow grew up in Otara, Auckland and attended Manurewa High School before studying acting at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. He started his acting career in New Zealand in the late 1990s, appearing in a number of TV series and films such as "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "The Lost World". However, he found his true passion in film production and decided to pursue it full time.
Barlow founded the production company Semi-Professional Pictures in 2007, which has since become one of the leading film production companies in New Zealand. In addition to producing films and TV series, the company also provides production services and TV commercials for clients around the world. Some of the production company's notable works include "The Dead Lands", "Pork Pie", "The Changeover" and "The Brokenwood Mysteries".
Barlow has won several awards for his work in the film industry, including the Best Feature Film Award at the New York City Horror Film Festival and the Best Short Film Award at the Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards. He is also an active member of the New Zealand Screen Production and Development Association and serves on the board of directors for the Auckland International Film Festival.
Overall, Paul A. Barlow is a respected figure in the New Zealand film industry and has made a significant contribution to the country's film culture through his work as a producer and writer.