Greatest Kiwi Of All Time: No. 87 - Temuera Morrison (Down 2 from 85 last year)
“You’re not in Guatemala now Dr Ropata.” If this countdown was the greatest Shortland Street lines of all time, that would have to be number one. Temuera Morrison in the show’s debut episode as Dr Hone Ropata, the role that would springboard him to fame.
Temuera Morrison was born in Rotorua, the hometown of the Morrison whanau, including that of his famous uncle - Sir Howard Morrison. His first role was in 1972, a made for TV movie called Rangi’s Catch. Morrison played Rangi, a boy searching for convicts on the run from the police. Next came Never Say Die - a kiwi comedy action film. He starred alongside John Clark, who played a used car salesman.
But it was Shortland Street that really introduced Temuera Morrison to Aotearoa. He’d play Dr Ropata for only three years before trying his hand at film.
In 1994, Morrison received international attention for his character Jake “The Muss” in Once Were Warriors. The film was a hit here and abroad and won Tem a New Zealand Film and Television Award that year.
He’d reprise the role in the sequel - “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted”.
In the late 90s, Morrison would begin to be noticed in Hollywood. He had supporting roles in Speed 2 and The Beautiful Country. Then, in 2002, Morrison appeared as bounty hunter Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode 2, Attack of the Clones.
He’s voiced Fett and his various clones in many Star Wars games and movies, and in 2020 played Boba Fett in the second season of The Mandalorian. He’s since gone on to appear in his own spinoff - The Book of Boba Fett - which premiered late last year.
Temuera Morrison, as close as it gets to Hollywood royalty down-under. And one of Today FM’s Greatest Kiwis of All Time.
GKOAT 23 - Thanks to resene.
Today FM's Greatest Kiwis Of All Time, thanks to Resene - helping Kiwis decorate with NZ made paints since 1946.
