Cliff Curtis is a New Zealand actor who was born on July 27, 1968, in Rotorua, New Zealand. He is of Māori descent, with his tribal affiliations being Te Arawa and Ngāti Hauiti.
Curtis began his acting career in New Zealand in the late 1980s, appearing in a number of local television shows and films. He gained wider recognition in the 1990s with his roles in the New Zealand films “Once Were Warriors” and “Whale Rider.”
He is also known for his roles on television, including “Trauma,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” and “The Walking Dead: World Beyond.”
In addition to his acting career, Curtis is also involved in various philanthropic and community projects. He was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004 for his services to film.
Where was Cliff Curtis raised?
In the Bay of Plenty region, in Rotorua, Curtis was born on July 27, 1968.
He developed his skills as a kapa haka performer while studying mau rkau, a traditional Mori style of taiaha fighting, as a young child on Mokoia Island with Mori elder Mita Mohi.
Later, Curtis competed in rock ‘n’ roll dance competitions and performed as a breakdancer. His secondary schooling was completed at Rotorua’s Edmund Rice College. In 1989, Curtis received a Certificate in Acting from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Theatre School.
Where does Cliff Curtis live now?
He actually resides in Rotorua. But he acknowledges that if he wanted to become extremely successful in Hollywood, he could have relocated to Los Angeles years ago.