Ken Blackburn (actor)
Ken Blackburn | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kenneth Colster Blackburn 1935 (age 89–90) Bristol, England |
| Education | Clifton College, Bristol (1948–1952) Wellington High School, New Zealand |
| Occupations | Actor, director, writer |
| Years active | 1955–present |
| Known for | Gliding On Shortland Street Xena: Warrior Princess Farscape |
Kenneth Colster Blackburn MNZM (born 1935) is a New Zealand actor, director and writer. He has worked in film, television, radio and theatre in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom since 1963.[1]
Early life
Blackburn was born in April 1935, at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in England and was raised alongside his older brother John. He attended Clifton College from 1948 to 1952. After the Second World War ended, his family emigrated to New Zealand, where he completed his education at Wellington High School.[2][3][4]
His experiences as a child in World War II England are documented in his memoir "Blitz Kids", about the Bristol Blitz, in which as a wartime refugee, he repeatedly ran away from billets, while trying to return to his family. The book was published in 1995, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of VE Day.[2]
Career
In the mid 1950s, Blackburn appeared in an early New Zealand Players production of Saint Joan.[2] He then headed back to England, where he acted under American director Sam Wanamaker in Liverpool for a year, but soon relocated to New Zealand.[2] Finding the early Australasian theatre scene unsustainable, Blackburn spent five years as a high school teacher, before the advent of Wellington's Downstage Theatre in 1964 afforded him to act full time for the following decade.[2]
Blackburn's first television role was in the 1963 TV play All Earth to Love.[2] In 1975 he appeared in soap opera Close to Home, as Clive Foster.[2] He also had a main role in Hunter’s Gold, which aired internationally.[2] In 1977, he appeared in Australian series Glenview High, as teacher Mr Phillips and New Zealand drama Moynihan.[2] He also began starring in more prominent film roles, with a lead in 1978 film Skin Deep.[2]
Blackburn's best-known screen role in New Zealand was as the boss in office sitcom Gliding On, from 1981 to 1985, and based on Roger Hall's hit play Glide Time.[2] In the 1980s, he also appeared in miniseries Brotherhood of the Rose.[2] Other television credits include Sea Urchins, Mortimer's Patch, The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson, and White Fang.[2]
In the early 1990s, Blackburn appeared in a recurring role in long-running soap opera Shortland Street, playing Sir Bruce Warner.[2] Further film roles included Bad Blood, Pictures, and 1996 Peter Jackson film The Frighteners.[2] He also featured in drama Life is for Living (2015), which went on to win numerous festival awards.[2] The same year, he appeared in two internationally-directed films, American western Slow West alongside Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender and Ben Mendelsohn and British period drama Sunset Song.[2]
Blackburn is best known internationally for his roles in American fantasy series Xena: Warrior Princess and Australian/American sci-fi series Farscape.[2] His more recent television credits include New Zealand series The Brokenwood Mysteries and American fantasy series Legend of the Seeker, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Sweet Tooth.[5]
Blackburn has also an extensive career as a stage performer, including appearing in self-devised show An Evening with Dickens and touring with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as narrator for A Midsummer Night's Dream.[2] In 1999, his performance as Vladimir in Waiting for Godot earned him the Best Actor award at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards.[6] In the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the performing arts.[7]
In 2022, Blackburn featured in television commercials for Amazon and Kiwi Lager.[5]
Personal life
Blackburn lives on the north island of New Zealand, together with his wife Carolyn.[4]
Filmography
Source: [5]
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 479 | Robert James | |
| 1978 | Skin Deep | Bob Warner | |
| 1981 | Pictures | Commander James Gilchrist | |
| Bad Blood | Thommo Robson | ||
| 1984 | Tommy Knockers | Newt Berringer | |
| 1987 | Ngati | Agent | |
| Young Detectives on Wheels | Inspector Hawley | ||
| 1988 | The Grasscutter | Inspector Lerwick | |
| 1989 | The Roar | Ken Scott | |
| 1992 | Absent Without Leave | Captain Barrett | |
| 1996 | The Frighteners | Dr Kamins | |
| 2005 | King Kong | Stage Manager | |
| 2010 | One Hearse Town | Jack | Short film |
| If We Are to be Eaten by Wolves | Nicholas | Short film | |
| 2011 | Rest for the Wicked | Mr Hayes | |
| Antonio's Secret | Antonio Berglas | Short film | |
| 2012 | Strongman: The Tragedy | Mr Tucker | |
| 2013 | Life is for Living | Albert | Short film |
| 2014 | Movie | Doctor | Short film |
| 2015 | Slow West | Josh McKenzie | |
| Life is for Living | Albert Fivell | Short film | |
| Sunset Song | Galt | ||
| 2020 | Poppy | Uncle Fred | Short film |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | An Awful Silence | Mr Redwood | TV movie |
| 1976 | The Park Terrace Murder | Mr Joynt | TV movie |
| 1976–1977 | Moynihan | Brian Crosby | 8 episodes |
| 1977 | Hunter's Gold | Baddock | 7 episodes |
| The Mackenzie Affair | Henry Tancred | Miniseries, 2 episodes | |
| The Governor | Admiral Henry Keppell | 1 episode | |
| 1977–1978 | Kirby's Company | Bill Kirby | 18 episodes |
| 1978 | Glenview High | Reg Casey | 1 episode |
| 1979 | Chopper Squad | 1 episode | |
| Golden Soak | Sergeant Reynolds | Miniseries, 3 episodes | |
| Patrol Boat | Commander Johns | 1 episode | |
| A Place in the World | Miniseries, 1 episode | ||
| 1980 | Close to Home | Clive Foster | 1 episode |
| 1980; 1981 | Mortimer's Patch | Detective Inspector Chris Knight | 2 episodes |
| 1981 | Comedy Playhouse | ||
| 1982 | Casualties of Peace | Tripod | TV movie |
| 1983 | An Age Apart | Doctor | 1 episode |
| Nearly No Christmas | Undertaker | TV movie | |
| 1984–1985 | Gliding On | The Boss | |
| 1985 | Hanlon | John Fraser QC | 1 episode |
| 1987 | Steel Riders | Inspector Hawley | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | Erebus: The Aftermath | Colin Nicholson | Miniseries, 4 episodes |
| 1989 | Brotherhood of the Rose | Forbes | Miniseries, 2 episodes |
| The Flying Doctors | Jake | 1 episode | |
| 1990 | Betty's Bunch | The Charmer | 9 episodes |
| 1990–1991 | Shark in the Park | Superintendent | 4 episodes |
| 1991 | Which Way Home | Officer Carmody | Miniseries |
| The Sound and the Silence | Elisha Gray | TV movie | |
| Gold: The World's Play | Shadrach | TV movie | |
| 1991–1992 | Gold | Shadrach | 4 episodes |
| 1992 | The Ray Bradbury Theater | Policeman / Timulty | 2 episodes |
| 1992–1995 | Shortland Street | Sir Bruce Warner | 66 episodes |
| 1993 | The Rainbow Warrior | Gerard Curry | TV movie |
| 1993–1994 | White Fang | Hank Blair | 32 episodes |
| 1995 | Hercules: The Legendary Journeys | Atreus | 1 episode |
| Letter to Blanchy | Len | 1 episode | |
| 1996 | Xena: Warrior Princess | King Menelaus | 1 episode |
| 1998 | Duggan | Sensei | 1 episode |
| The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson | Oscar Wyss | 8 episodes | |
| The Legend of William Tell | Commissioner Esdras | 3 episodes | |
| 1999 | Farscape | Hybin | 1 episode |
| 2000 | Dark Knight | Duke of Bressingham | 1 episode |
| 2001 | Atlantis High | Mr Dorsey | 1 episode |
| 2003 | The Strip | Finn's Father | 1 episode |
| 2009 | Until Proven Innocent | Appeal Court Judge | TV movie |
| 2010 | Legend of the Seeker | Brother Joseph | Season 2, 1 episode |
| 2011 | Whiskey Island (aka Emilie Richards) | Joshua | Miniseries, 1 episode |
| Strongman | Mr Tucker | Docudrama | |
| What Really Happened: Women's Vote | Speaker | Miniseries | |
| 2013 | The Forgotten General | Sir James Allen | Miniseries |
| 2016 | Hillary | Sir Malcolm | 1 episode |
| 2015–2017 | The Brokenwood Mysteries | Edward | Seasons 2–4, 3 episodes |
| 2022; 2024 | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Tar-Palantir | 4 episodes |
| 2024 | Sweet Tooth | Paul | Season 3, 1 episode |
| 2025 | Alice and Steve | Barry |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Path of Exile | Eramir |
Theatre
Source: [5]
As actor
As director / producer
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Amahl and the Night Visitors | Producer | St Peter's Church on Willis, Wellington | [27] |
| 1969 | The Land of Smiles | Producer | Opera Centre with Opera Technique | [28] |
| 1972 | Flint | Director | Downstage Theatre, Wellington | [29] |
| When Did You Last See My Mother | Director | Star Boating Club | [29] | |
| 1980 | Time & Time Again | Director | Williams and Cooper Productions | [30] |
| Silly Buggers | Director | Circa Theatre, Wellington | [31] |
Publication
| Year | Title | Publisher | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Blitz Kids | BBC | [32] |
Awards
Source: [5]
| Year | Work | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Ken Blackburn | Polish Ministry of Culture | Amicus Poloniae | Honoured[4] |
| 1999 | Waiting for Godot | Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards | Best Actor | Won |
| 2005 | Ken Blackburn | Queen's Birthday Honours | MNZM for Services to the Performing Arts | Honoured |
| 2011 | Antonio's Secret | Las Vegas Short Film Festival Awards | Best Actor | Won |
| 2014 | The Caretaker | Dunedin Arts Festival | Best Actor | Won |
| Life is for Living | Oklahoma Film Festival Awards | Best Short Film | Won | |
| 2015 | Byron Bay Film Festival | Best International Short Film | Won | |
| Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film | Won | |||
| IFFEHC – Jakarta | International Award of Outstanding Excellence | Won | ||
| World Film Awards – Jakarta | Golden World Award | Won | ||
| Kiwi International Film Festival | Best Kiwi Short Film | Won | ||
| 2017 | Ken Blackburn | NZ Actors Equity / MEAA | Equity Lifetime Achievement Award | Won |
| 2019 | Ken Blackburn | 48 Hour Film Challenge | Best Actor Award | Won |
References
- ^ "Actor Ken Blackburn receives Lifetime Achievement award at prestigious Auckland awards ceremony". www.equity.org.nz. 17 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Ken Blackburn – Actor". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Ken Blackburn ONZM". Wellington High School alumni. 29 October 2017.
- ^ a b c "Kenneth Blackburn". Amazon. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Ken Blackburn MNZM". www.aucklandactors.co.nz. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Wellington Theatre Awards 1999". Wellington Theatre Awards. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2005". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 6 June 2005. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ Smythe, John (25 April 2011). "TIM ELIOTT 1935–2011". www.theatreview.org.nz.
- ^ "Downstage Theatre: Downstage presents The Cage, by Mario Fratti". www.digitalnz.org. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Hilary Waring and Ken Blackburn in a production of Brand written by Henrik Ibsen, staged by New Theatre, Wellington". www.digitalnz.org. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Mercury Theatre: Programmes and fliers relating to plays and dramatic performances. 1974". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Downstage Theatre: Programmes, pamphlets and fliers for productions in 1976". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Unity Theatre: Programmes, fliers and small posters relating to plays and dramatic performances 1976". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Circa Theatre: Ephemera and programmes 1975-1977". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Boyce, Raymond Stanley, 1928-2019: Candide". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Circa Theatre: Programmes and fliers 1980". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Circa Theatre: Posters advertising performances at Circa Theatre in 1981". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Mercury Theatre: Programmes and fliers relating to plays and dramatic performances 1980-1986". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Mercury Theatre: Programmes and fliers relating to plays and dramatic performances 1983-1986". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Programmes and fliers relating to plays and dramatic performances in New Zealand 1984". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Circa Theatre: Programmes and pamphlets 1997". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Circa Theatre: Programmes and pamphlets 1999". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Circa Theatre: Julius Caesar", by William Shakespeare; a play for our times". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Ken Blackburn and Alice Fraser in a scene from the Downstage Theatre production of Double Beat". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Circa Theatre: Programmes and pamphlets 2000". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Programmes and other ephemera relating to Maori concerts, performance competitions, festivals and entertainment. 2000-2009". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Opera-Technique Inc :Ephemera, clippings and posters 1950-1960s". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Opera-Technique Inc: Ephemera and programmes for performances of opera and light opera 1960-1969". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Downstage Theatre: Programmes, pamphlets, membership forms and fliers for productions in 1972". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Theatre programmes for drama productions in New Zealand, mostly Wellington, in 1980, and undated items for the 1980s". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Circa Theatre: Programmes and pamphlets 1980". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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External links
- Ken Blackburn at IMDb
- Roger Hall’s Who Wants to be 100?, Scoop, 11 February 2008.