The Many Talents of Cliff Curtis
Clifford Curtis was born in New Zealand in July of 1968. He is known as “Cliff.” Cliff’s talents include being a dancer, actor, impersonator, and business owner.
When he was a boy, Curtis studied a form of taiaha fighting, which has helped his abilities in kapa haka. Curtis has also performed as a break dancer and in dance competitions. He can impersonate Tim Cahill.
Before Curtis began acting in films, he performed as an amateur in musicals. These musicals include Man of La Mancha and Fiddler on the Roof. He performed in amateur theatres before going on to the New Zealand Drama School and to Switzerland. He has worked in many New Zealand theatre companies such as Bats Theatre, Centre Point, Downstage, and Mercury Theatre.
The Piano was his first feature film role; it was an Oscar-nominated New Zealand film. Desperate Remedies, Whale Rider, River Queen, and Once Were Warriors are other films he has played roles in. On film, Curtis has portrayed Arab and Latin American characters. In New Zealand, Curtis is usually the main star; however, he has appeared as a character actor in many Hollywood movies. He recently appeared in an NBC television series, Trauma.
Curtis is co-owner of Whenua Films, an independent film production company. Curtis and Ainsley Gardiner, the other co-owner, managed the development and production of the Short Films Fund for 2005-2006 for the New Zealand Film Commission. Under this company banner, they have produced short films including Two Cars, One Night, and Hawaiki. In 2006 Miramax Films bought United States distribution rights to Curtis and Gardiner’s film Eagle vs. Shark.
Cliff Curtis has been successful in musicals, films, impersonation, and as a business owner. On a personal note, he has two children and is happily married. Cliff Curtis is surely a man of many talents!