George Henare

George Henare, born September 11, 1945, in Gisborne, New Zealand, is basically a legend in the world of Kiwi acting. Seriously, if you’ve watched any classic New Zealand film or TV from the late 20th century, odds are you’ve seen him turn up. The dude’s got a presence—one of those actors who shows up and just owns the scene, even if he’s not the lead. People mostly remember him for roles in movies like “The Legend of Johnny Lingo” (2003)—which, if you haven’t watched, is basically a rite of passage for anyone interested in Pacific Island storytelling. He’s also popped up in “Ocean Girl” (1994), a show that had this weird mix of sci-fi and adventure vibes, and “Warriors” (1994), another must-see if you’re into gritty drama. Henare’s career has spanned decades, and he’s tackled everything from theater to TV to film, usually bringing a sort of grounded gravitas that just hits different. He’s not the kind of actor who disappears into Hollywood—he kept it real, working on projects that actually meant something for New Zealand and Māori representation. Plus, you can’t ignore his voice. Deep, commanding—basically made for narration or those roles where you need someone who can say a lot by doing barely anything. Henare’s got that rare mix of charisma and authenticity, and he’s made a huge impact on how New Zealand stories get told, especially for Māori audiences. No joke, the guy’s a cornerstone of Kiwi film and TV.