Bret McKenzie Wiki Biography
Bret Peter Tarrant McKenzie, ONZM is a New Zealand comedian, actor, musician and producer, best known for being one half of the Grammy Award winning musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords along with Jemaine Clement. McKenzie served as music supervisor for two Muppet film…
| Full Name | Bret McKenzie |
| Net Worth | $4 Million |
| Date Of Birth | June 29, 1976 |
| Place Of Birth | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Height | 6 ft (1.83 m) |
| Profession | Actor, Screenwriter, Television producer, Musician, Comedian, Lyricist, Composer |
| Education | Victoria University of Wellington |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Spouse | Hannah Clarke (m. 2009) |
| Children | Leo McKenzie, Vita McKenzie |
| Parents | Deirdre Tarrant, Peter McKenzie |
| Siblings | Jonathan McKenzie, Justin McKenzie |
| Nicknames | The Rhymenoceros , Rhymenoceros , Video Kid , McKenzie, Bret , Fllight of the Conchords , Bret Peter Tarrant McKenzie , Bret Peter Tarrant McKenzie, ONZM |
| IMDB | http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1235366 |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Original Song, Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Song |
| Music Groups | Flight of the Conchords (Since 1998), The Black Seeds, The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra |
| Nominations | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics, Writers Guild of America Award for Television: New Series, Writer… |
| Movies | The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Austenland, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Two Little Boys, The Outback, Diagnosis: Death, Sally |
| TV Shows | Flight of the Conchords |
| Trademark | |
|---|---|
| 1 | His beard |
| 2 | Curly black hair |
| Quote | |
|---|---|
| 1 | [on films of the ’30s and ’40s] It was such a golden age for musicals. Those years are so influential on us now with what they did for films with musical numbers. I’m jealous of that time. It seemed like the actors spent most of their time doing dancing and singing lessons, and they’d come on set and know all the moves. And they could all sing as we’ll. Now you’re dealing with actors who can’t sing or dance, but think they can. |
| 2 | I grew up watching the ‘Muppets.’ In New Zealand, the ‘Muppets’ were as big as anywhere else I think. It was a pretty global phenomenon. |
| 3 | It’s easy to struggle in New York. I think New York is a bit expensive. |
| 4 | Music-wise, I listen to everything. Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman – I guess I like a lot of ’70s music. |
| 5 | My acting’s very understated. I think my sad and happy don’t play that differently onscreen. |
| 6 | I think the radio is kind of cool, because you’re really free to do whatever you want, because you can go into another world. Whereas in TV, you have to make that world. |
| 7 | One of the mistakes I made was thinking chickens and penguins could sing, just like all the other animals in the ‘Muppets.’ But it turns out those animals are not allowed to sing words. |
| 8 | The ‘Muppets’ were a very big part of my childhood, and ‘Flight of the Conchords’ definitely has elements of the ‘Muppets’ in it, specifically the way we mixed music and comedy. |
| Fact | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Although his elf role in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) was only a brief silent cameo, his attractive character was noticed by female fans, who made him a minor Internet celebrity, and dubbed his character “Figwit” (short for “Frodo is great…who is THAT?!?”). When this came to the attention of director Peter Jackson, he arranged to have McKenzie reprise the (still-officially-unnamed) character in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). In interviews and commentaries, Jackson has informally approved the name of Figwit for the character. McKenzie was also brought back to play an elf character named Lindir in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014). |
| 2 | A skilled multi-instrumentalist, he often overdubbed lead guitar, drums and keyboards on Flight of the Conchords (2007) tracks. |
| 3 | One half of New Zealand ‘folk comedy’ duo Flight of the Conchords, with Jemaine Clement. |
| 4 | Son of actor Peter McKenzie, who plays Elendil in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001). |
Soundtrack
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Simpsons | 2010-2015 | TV Series music – 2 episodes | |
| Todd’s Pop Song Reviews | 2010-2015 | TV Series documentary writer – 2 episodes | |
| Muppets Most Wanted | 2014 | lyrics: “Interrogation Song” / music: “Interrogation Song” / producer: “We’re Doing a Sequel”, “I’m Number One”, “The Big House”, “I’ll Get You What You Want Cockatoo In Malibu”, “Interrogation Song”, “Something So Right”, “Together Again” / writer: “Life’s A Happy Song”, “We’re Doing a Sequel”, “I’m Number One”, “The Big House”, “I’ll Get You What You Want Cockatoo In Malibu”, “Something So Right” | |
| NotBad | 2013 | Documentary short writer: “One by One” | |
| Danville 2nd Ward Young Men | 2013 | TV Series writer – 1 episode | |
| The Pirates! Band of Misfits | 2012 | writer: “I’m Not Crying” | |
| Dancing with the Stars | 2011 | TV Series writer – 1 episode | |
| The Muppets | 2011 | producer: “Life’s a Happy Song”, “Pictures in My Head”, “Me Party”, “Let’s Talk About Me”, “Man or Muppet”, “Rainbow Connection”, “Life’s a Happy Song Finale” / writer: “Life’s a Happy Song”, “Me Party”, “Let’s Talk About Me”, “Man or Muppet”, “Life’s a Happy Song Finale” | |
| Naruto: The Abridged Comedy Fandub Spoof Series Show | 2010 | TV Series writer – 1 episode | |
| Flight of the Conchords | TV Series performer – 22 episodes, 2007 – 2009 writer – 22 episodes, 2007 – 2009 | ||
| Timeshift | TV Series documentary performer – 1 episode, 2008 writer – 1 episode, 2008 | ||
| Chuck | 2008 | TV Series writer – 1 episode | |
| Backstage Pass | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2007 writer – 1 episode, 2007 | ||
| Late Night with Conan O’Brien | TV Series performer – 2 episodes, 2005 – 2007 writer – 2 episodes, 2005 – 2007 | ||
| Late Show with David Letterman | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2007 writer – 1 episode, 2007 | ||
| The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2005 writer – 1 episode, 2005 | ||
| One Night Stand | TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2005 writer – 1 episode, 2005 |
Writer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bret and Jemaine’s Announcement | 2010 | Short | |
| Flight of the Conchords | TV Series creator – 22 episodes, 2007 – 2009 written by – 13 episodes, 2007 – 2009 | ||
| Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey | 2006 | TV Movie | |
| One Night Stand | 2005 | TV Series writer – 1 episode |
Actor
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austenland | 2013 | Martin | |
| The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey | 2012 | Lindir | |
| Deano and Nige’s Best Last Day Ever | 2012 | Nige | |
| The Outback | 2012 | Hamish (voice) | |
| The Simpsons | 2010 | TV Series | Kurt |
| Diagnosis: Death | 2009 | Dr. Cruise | |
| Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | 2009 | TV Series | Tim’s Tennis Double |
| Flight of the Conchords | 2007-2009 | TV Series | Bret |
| The Drinky Crow Show | 2008 | TV Series | Alien |
| Pantsed | 2008 | Short | Date |
| Futile Attraction | 2004 | Wickham | |
| The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | 2003 | Elf Escort | |
| The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | 2001 | Figwit (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tip Top Taj Mahal | 2017 | original songs by pre-production | |
| Muppets Most Wanted | 2014 | music supervisor / original songs by | |
| The Muppets | 2011 | music supervisor / original songs by – uncredited | |
| Flight of the Conchords | 2007-2009 | TV Series composer – 22 episodes |
Composer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight of the Conchords | 2007-2009 | TV Series 22 episodes | |
| Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey | 2006 | TV Movie | |
| Sheep Man | 2006 | Short | |
| One Night Stand | 2005 | TV Series 1 episode |
Producer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight of the Conchords | TV Series co-executive producer – 12 episodes, 2007 executive producer – 10 episodes, 2008 – 2009 | ||
| Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey | 2006 | TV Movie producer |
Miscellaneous
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tongan Ninja | 2002 | kitchen choreographer |
Thanks
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt for the Wilderpeople | 2016 | very special thanks |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Call with Carson Daly | 2014 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
| Made in Hollywood | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
| The 84th Annual Academy Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Himself – Winner: Best Original Song |
| Conan | 2012 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
| MSN Exclusives | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
| Bret and Jemaine’s Announcement | 2010 | Short | Himself |
| Bro’Town | 2009 | TV Series | Himself |
| Flight of the Conchords: On Air | 2009 | TV Short documentary | Himself |
| Rocked the Nation | 2009 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Largo | 2008 | Himself | |
| Backstage Pass | 2007 | TV Series | Himself |
| Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey | 2006 | TV Movie | Himself |
| The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| Late Night with Conan O’Brien | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| One Night Stand | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| Just for Laughs | 2004 | TV Series | Himself |
| Frodo Is Great… Who Is That?!! | 2004 | Documentary | Figwit |
| Stand Up! | 2004 | TV Series | Himself – Flight of the Conchords |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lennon or McCartney | 2014 | Documentary short | Himself |
Won Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Oscar | Academy Awards, USA | Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2012 | ASCAP Award | ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards | Top Box Office Films | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2012 | Critics Choice Award | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2012 | GFCA Award | Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) | Best Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2012 | OFTA Film Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Music, Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2011 | HFCS Award | Houston Film Critics Society Awards | Best Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2011 | Sierra Award | Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | Best Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2011 | PFCS Award | Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards | Best Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2009 | ASCAP Award | ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards | Top Television Series | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2008 | Grammy | Grammy Awards | Best Comedy Album |
Nominated Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | GFCA Award | Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) | Best Original Song | Muppets Most Wanted (2014) |
| 2014 | HMMA Award | Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA) | Best Song – Feature Film | Muppets Most Wanted (2014) |
| 2014 | Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Original Song | Muppets Most Wanted (2014) |
| 2013 | Grammy | Grammy Awards | Best Song Written for Visual Media | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2012 | Critics Choice Award | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2012 | GFCA Award | Georgia Film Critics Association (GFCA) | Best Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2012 | Film Award | New Zealand Film and TV Awards (II) | Best Actor | Two Little Boys (2012) |
| 2012 | OFTA Film Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Music, Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2012 | World Soundtrack Award | World Soundtrack Awards | Best Original Song Written for a Film | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2011 | Annie | Annie Awards | Best Music in a Television Production | The Simpsons (1989) |
| 2011 | Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2011 | Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Original Song | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2011 | SLFCA Award | St. Louis Film Critics Association, US | Best Music | The Muppets (2011) |
| 2009 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2009 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Comedy Series | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2009 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2008 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2008 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2008 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2008 | WGA Award (TV) | Writers Guild of America, USA | Comedy Series | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2008 | WGA Award (TV) | Writers Guild of America, USA | New Series | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |
| 2008 | WGA Award (TV) | Writers Guild of America, USA | Episodic Comedy | Flight of the Conchords (2007) |