Profile
Ethnicity
European
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Height
175 cm
Age Range
57–64
Career Highlights
John Leigh is a well-known New Zealand actor whose career across film, television, and theatre spans more than three decades. He is widely recognised for his roles in iconic New Zealand series including "Shortland Street", "Mercy Peak", and "Outrageous Fortune." Most recently, John has appeared in "Tangata Pai", "The Gone", Netflix's "Sweet Tooth", "Far North", and "Westside." Other notable television credits include "800 Words", "When We Go to War", "The Making of the Mob: Chicago", "The Luminaries", and "The Brokenwood Mysteries." International audiences will recognise John as 'Háma' in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers." His film credits also include "Pike River", "Uproar", "Mahana", "The Dark Horse", "Insatiable Moon", "Stickmen", and "The Frighteners." One of New Zealand's most respected character actors, John continues to enjoy a prolific career across stage and screen.
Awards.
| 2015 | Finalist: Best New Writer - Greg Johnson & John Leigh — Snowmen | ||
| 2005 | Best Actor In A Television Series-Nominee-New Zealand Screen Awards | ||
Feature Film.
| 2025 | Heart Eyes | Pierre (Guest) | Ground Control NZ, Spyglass Media Group Dir. Josh Ruben |
| 2024 | Pike River | Milton Osborne (Supporting) | Dir. Robert Sarkies |
| 2022 | Uproar | Dennis (Supporting) | Dir. Hamish Bennett, Paul Middleditch |
| 2015 | Mahana | Golden Shears Announcer (Support) | The Patriarch Ltd. Dir. Lee Tamahori |
| 2013 | The Dark horse | Gift Shop Owner (Support) | Genisis Pictures Ltd Dir. James Napier Robertson |
| 2010 | Avalon High | Mr Atkinson (Support) | Ranger Productions Limited |
| 2010 | Love Birds | Quizz Master (Support) | Icon Entertainment International Dir. Paul Murphy |
| 2009 | Ice | Lammer (Support) | Ice Features Ltd Dir. Nick Copus |
| 2009 | Insatiable Moon | Brian (Majjor Support) | The Insatiable Moon Ltd Dir. Rosemary Riddell |
| 2007 | The Man Who Lost His Head | George | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Terry Johnson |
| 2007 | We're Here To Help | Lesley Costello | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Jonathan Cullinane |
| 2004 | Not Only But Always | Joe McGraph | Channel 4 UK Dir. Terry Johnson |
| 2004 | Spooked | Jimmy Blick | Silverscreen Productions Dir. Geoff Murphy |
| 2003 | Raising Waylon | Jeremy | Film Factory Dir. Sam Pillsbury |
| 2003 | Redhead - The Story Of Lucille Ball | Jimmy The Grip | Film Factory Dir. Glenn Jordan |
| 2001 | Ozzie | Gilbert | Daybreak Pictures Dir. Bill Tannen |
| 2000 | Stickmen | Dave | Stick Films Dir. Hamish Rothwell |
| 2000 | The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers | Hama | New Line Cinema/3 Foot 6 Films Dir. Peter Jackson |
| 1997 | Montana Sunday Theatre: Home Movie | Dave | Frame Up Films Dir. Fiona Samuel |
| 1995 | Chicken | Poisons Doctor | Keirfilms Productions Limited Dir. Grant LaHood |
| 1995 | The Frighteners | Bryce Campbell | Wingnut Films Dir. Peter Jackson |
| 1991 | Chunuk Bair | Dale Bradley | Avalon Television/Daybreak Pictures |
Television.
| 2025 | Tangata Pai | Gary (Support) | Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Production Dir. Kiel McNaughton |
| 2024 | The Gone - Season 2 | Vaughan (Guest) | TVNZ Dir. Dathai Keane (eps 1 -3) & Peter Burger (eps 4 - 6) |
| 2023 | Sweet Tooth - Season 3 | Captain Stafford (Guest) | Netflix/WBTV Dir. Jim Mickle |
| 2022 | Far North | Policeman (Co-Star ) | Dir. David White |
| 2020 | Westside - Season 6 | Dougal | South Pacific Productions Dir. Various |
| 2019 | The Brokenwood Mysteries - Season 6 | Lionel | South Pacific Pictures Ltd Dir. Oliver Driver |
| 2019 | The Wilds | Social Worker | Dir. Various |
| 2019 | Westside - Season 5 | Dougal | |
| 2018 | Family Feud All Star | Contestant | Mediaworks |
| 2018 | Power Rangers: Beast Morphers | Sudsey | Power Rangers Productions Ltd Dir. Various |
| 2018 | The Luminaries | Majestic Hotelier | BBC / TVNZ Dir. Claire McCarthy |
| 2018 | Third Term - Pilot | Hi-Viz | Dir. Michael Beran |
| 2018 | War Stories | Arnett (Lead) | Dir. John Laing |
| 2017 | Shortland Street - 25th Anniversary | Lionel (Return Guest ) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Various |
| 2017 | The Shannara Chronicles - Season 2 | Dax | MTV NZ Ltd Dir. Brad Turner |
| 2016 | 1953 // American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story | Printer Owner (Guest) | Dir. Richard Lopez |
| 2016 | 800 Words - Season 2 & 3 | Constable Tom | South Pacific Pictures |
| 2016 | Dear Murderer | David Morris | Screentime NZ Ltd |
| 2016 | Pike River - Docudrama | Doug White | Screentime Dir. Rupert McKenzie |
| 2016 | The Cul De Sac - Season 2 | Professor Baker | Greenstone TV LTD |
| 2015 | 800 Words - Season 1 | Constable Tom (Major Recurring Guest) | Weld Productions Limited & South Pacific Pictures |
| 2015 | The Making of the Mob 2: Chicago | Jimmy Hoffa (Support) | Steven David Entertainment, NY Dir. John Ealer |
| 2014 | West Side Story | Dougal (Guest) | South Pacific Pictures |
| 2014 | When We Go to War | Bertie Mueller | JUMP FILM AND TV LIMITED Dir. Peter Burger |
| 2013 | Jono and Ben at 10 | Newsroom Producer (Guest) | Mediaworks Dir. Various |
| 2012 | Agent Anna | James (Guest) | Great Southern Film & Television Dir. Vanessa Alexander & Peter Salmon |
| 2012 | Golden | DS Gavin Watson | South Pacific Pictures |
| 2012 | Jono & Ben at Ten | Mediaworks/TV3 Dir. Bronwynn Wilson | |
| 2011 | Rage | Bill Oram (Support) | Tom Scott Productions Limited Dir. Danny Mulheron |
| 2011 | The Political Incorrect Guide To Grown Ups | Father (Lead) | RazorFilms |
| 2011 | The Russians Are Coming | Yegor Kiselyov (Core) | Tawera Productions Limited |
| 2011 | Underbelly - The Martin Johnstone Story | Mac the Mick (Support) | Screentime NZ Dir. Mike Smith and Ric Pellizzeri |
| 2010 | Bliss - Telefeature | Herr Gruber (Support) | MF Films Limited Dir. Fiona Samuel |
| 2010 | Power Rangers | Fisherman (Guest) | Ranger Productions |
| 2010 | The Almighty Johnsons - Season 1 & 2 | Bryn (Guest) | South Pacific Pictures |
| 2010 | The Politically Incorrect Guide to Teenagers | Father (Lead) | Razor Films Ltd Dir. Stephen Campbell |
| 2009 | Legend of the Seeker | Selick (Guest) | Walt Disney (New Zealand) Ltd Dir. Garth Maxwell |
| 2009 | Outrageous Fortune - Season 5 | Sparky (Recurring Guest) | South Pacific Pictures |
| 2009 | Outrageous Fortune - Season 6 | Sparky (Reaccuring Guest) | South Pacific Pictures |
| 2009 | Radirahdirah | Friar Chuck (Support) | Firehorse Films Dir. Elizabeth Mitchell |
| 2009 | The Kiwi Who Saved Britian | Leigh-Mallory (Lead) | Greenstone Pictures |
| 2008 | Amazing Extrodinary Friends - Season 3 | Dave Reuben (Recurring Guest) | Greenstone Pictures Dir. Peter Clews |
| 2008 | Diplomatic Immunity | Mick (Core Cast) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Murray Keane |
| 2008 | Outrageous Fortune - Season 4 | Sparky (Reaccuring Guest) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Peter Salmon |
| 2007 | Amazing Extrodinary Friends - Season 2 | Dave Reuben (Recurring Guest) | Greenstone Pictures Dir. Stephen Campbell/Simon Raby |
| 2007 | Outrageous Fortune - Season 3 | Sparky (Recurring Guest) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Mark Beasley/Murray Keane |
| 2006 | Amazing Extrodinary Friends - Season 1 | Dave Reuben (Recurring Guest) | Greenstone Pictures Dir. Matt McPhail/Popo Lilo |
| 2006 | Outrageous Fortune - Season 2 | Sparky (Recurring Guest) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Mark Beesley/Michael Bennett |
| 2006 | Power Rangers - Operation Overdrive | Brownbeard (Core Cast) | Ranger Productions Dir. Britta Johnstone |
| 2005 | Interrogation | Sgt. Phil Worth (Core Cast) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Simon Raby/Murray Keane/Wayne Tourell |
| 2005 | Maddigan's Quest | Harold (Rogue Pirate) (Guest Role) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Charles Haskell |
| 2005 | Outrageous Fortune - Season 1 | Sparky (Recurring Guest) | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Mark Beasley |
| 2005 | Taonga | Andreas Reischek | Greenstone Pictures Dir. Catherine Akuhata-Jones |
| 2004 | Eating Media Lunch | (Guest Role) | Great Southern Television |
| 2004 | Kidnapped | Rankeillor | BBC Dir. Brendan Maher |
| 2004 | Secret Agent Men - Season 1 & 2 | Mad Aunt Bess (Recurring Guest) | Greenstone Pictures Dir. Simon Raby |
| 2004 | Serial Killers | Allan (Core Cast) | Landtrye Dir. Mike Smith |
| 2003 | Power Rangers - Ninja Storm | Dr Belrab | Ranger Productions |
| 2001 | Atomic Twister | Deputy Thad Rawlings | Once Upon A Time Films Dir. Bill Corcanran |
| 2001 | Mercy Peak - Season 1-4 | Chook Bracey (Core Cast) | South Pacific Pictures |
| 2001 | Spin Doctors - Season 1-4 | Kevin Handy (Core Cast) | Comedia Pictures |
| 2000 | Jack Of All Trades - Season 1 & 2 | St Bernard (Recurring Guest) | Pacific Renaissance Pictures |
| 2000 | Jack Of All Trades: Sex And The Single Spy | St. Bernard | Pacific Renassaince Pictures Dir. Charles Haskell |
| 2000 | Money For Jam | Policeman | Rocket Pictures |
| 2000 | The Life And Times Of Te Tutu | Reverend Batty | Pipi Productions |
| 2000 | Xena Warrior Princess - Return Of The Valkyrie | Hrothgar (Guest Role) | Pacific Renaissance Pictures Dir. Jahn Fawcett |
| 2000 | Xena Warrior Princess - The Ideas Of March | Nailscot (Guest Role) | Pacific Renassaince Pictures Dir. Ken Girotti |
| 1994 | Shortland Street | Lionel Skeggins (Core Cast) | South Pacific Pictures |
| 1992 | The Horizon - How Mountains Are Formed | BBC |
Theatre.
| 2013 | Kings of the Gym | Laurie Connor | Auckland Theatre Company Dir. Peter Elliot |
| 2010 | Horseplay | Ronald Hugh Morrieson (Lead) | Auckland Theatre Company Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 2009 | The 10 pm Question | Various (Lead) | Radio New Zealand Dir. Prue Langbein |
| 2002 | Stones In His Pockets | Jake Quinn | Auckland Theatre Company Dir. Oliver Driver |
| 2000 | Death Of A Salesman | Bernard | Auckland Theatre Company |
| 1997 | All My Sons | George | Auckland Theatre Company Dir. David Berthold |
| 1994 | Hamburger Show | Philip Marlow | Watershed Theatre Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 1993 | Flybaby | Phil | Galaxy Theatre Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 1993 | The Pope And The Witch | Professer Ridolfi | Galaxy Theatre Dir. Geoff Clendon |
| 1992 | Bouncers | Les | Centrepoint Theatre Dir. Alison Queegan |
| 1992 | The Tempest | Antonio | Depot Theatre Dir. Jeff Boyd |
| 1992 | Twelfth Night | Sebastian | Watershed Theatre Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 1991 | Three Sisters | Fedotik | Depot Theatre Dir. James Beaumont |
| 1990 | Conquest Of The South Pole | Buscher | Bats Theatre Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 1990 | Hamlet | Hamlet | Bats Theatre Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 1989 | 3D - 3 Men On The Boarder | Various | Bats Theatre Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 1989 | Dry White And Friendly, Chartered Accountants And Exhibition Basketball | Tex Dry | Depot Theatre Dir. Robyn Grace |
| 1989 | Jism | Various | Bats Theatre Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 1989 | Pigeon English | John Hawkins | Depot Theatre Dir. Stuart Devenie |
| 1989 | Twelfth Night | Feste | Bats Theatre Dir. Simon Bennett |
Web Series.
| 2023 | Viva La Dirt | Rowans Father (Supporting) | Dir. Various |
Short Film.
| 2020 | Good Morning Stonus | Stonus (Lead) | Dir. Christian Nicolson |
| 2018 | Kino Ratten | Herman Winkler | Albedo VFX Dir. Peter McCully |
| 2014 | Snowman | Barry | Dir. Jonathan Brough |
| 1993 | Bradman | Laurie | Keir Films Dir. Peter Tait |
| 1991 | Still | Story Teller | SMT Productions Dir. Jonathan Brough |
Voice.
| 2023 | Highway Cops - Season 9 | Narrator | |
| 2022 | Highway Cops - Season 8 | Narrator | |
| 2021 | Highway Cops - Season 7 | Narrator | |
| 2020 | Highway Cops - Season 6 | Narrator | |
| 2019 | Highway Cops - Season 5 | Narrator | |
| 2018 | Highway Cops - Season 4 | Narrator | |
| 2015 | Evil Deal | Various (Loop Group) | Starz Evil Dead New Zealand Ltd |
| 2015 | Highway Cops - Season 3 | Narrator | Greenstone TV Productions |
| 2015 | Path of Exile | Malachai + Doedre (Videogame character) | Plus Play |
| 2015 | Path of Exile | Voll (Videogame character) | Plus Play |
| 2015 | The Brokenwood Mysteries | Rugby Supporters, Referees (Loop Group) | South Pacific Pictures Limited |
| 2013 | Highway Cops - Season 2 | Narrator | Greenstone Pictures |
| 2013 | Power Rangers - Season 20 & 21 | Damaras | Power Rangers Productions Limited |
| 2012 | Food Truck - Season 2 | Narrator | |
| 2011 | Food Truck - Season 1 | Narration | |
| 2011 | Power Rangers - Season 19 | Steeleto (Guest) | Power Rangers Productions Limited |
| 2011 | Voice of Tower | himself | |
| 2009 | Joke Toons | Frankie | The Funny Farm |
| 2009 | Spies & Lies | Narrator | South Pacific Pictures Dir. Simon Bennett |
| 2007 | The Adventures Of Voopa The Goolash | Chalabinnis | Photon Animation |
| 2006 | 10 Years Younger - Season 1-3 | Cream Media | |
| 2006 | Power Rangers | Master | Ranger Productions |