Oscar Kightley

Oscar Kightley
Born Oscar Vai To'elau Kightley
1969
Apia, Samoa
Nationality New Zealand, Samoan
Alma mater Rutherford College
Occupation Actor, presenter, writer, director

Oscar Vai To'elau Kightley, MNZM, is a Samoan-born New Zealand actor, television presenter, writer and director.

Biography

Kightley acted in and co-wrote the successful 2006 film Sione's Wedding. He is a member of the comedy group Naked Samoans Talk About Their Knives (also known as simply "Naked Samoans"), who together wrote the animated series bro'Town.[1] He is also known for his involvement with Sportzah.

Kightley came to New Zealand after the death of his father, when he was 4 years old. He was the youngest of eight children. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle, who live in West Auckland. He attended Rutherford College - this is where he learnt about the different cultures and his experiences during this time form the basis of his writing.

He was a breakfast announcer on Niu FM until January 2007.[2] He has also been on New Zealand Radio National, guest hosting Kim Hill's Saturday Morning show during the New Zealand Summer of 2007-2008. In 2006 he received a Laureate Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.[1] He wrote the play Niu Sila with Dave Armstorng. Kightley is currently working on a feature film.

Oscar co-founded Pacific Underground and the Island Players theatre company which has produced critically acclaimed work. Oscar won the Bruce Mason playwrights’ award in 1998 and has worked as a performer and writer for a number of television shows including Skitz, Telly Laughs, The Panel, Sportzah and TV3's rugby coverage. His plays include Fresh off the Boat which he co-wrote with Simon Small, Dawn Raids, Island Girls, A Frigate Bird Sings co-written with Dave Fane and Nathaniel Lees, and Niu Sila co-written with Dave Armstrong. Oscar also co-wrote and took a lead role in the highly successful Sione’s Wedding movies. [3]

In 2013 Kightley played the title character in the police drama Harry, which he also co-wrote. He also directed Madeleine Sami's TV3 comedy Super City.

In 2016 he was awarded the Senior Pacific Artist Award with Dave Fane at the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifka Awards.[4]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes Source
2006 Sione's Wedding Albert
2012 Sione's 2: Unfinished Business Albert
2016 Hunt for the Wilderpeople Andy
2016 Moana Fisherman (voice)

References

  1. 1 2 "Oscar Kightley gets $50,000 award". New Zealand Herald. 31 October 2006. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  2. ↑ McKenzie-Minifie, Martha (23 January 2007). "Breakfast off for Oscar Kightley". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  3. ↑ "Oscar Kightley | Playmarket". www.playmarket.org.nz. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  4. ↑ "Arts Pasifika Awards". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
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