KB
Ken Blackburn
Actor, WriterBorn June 6, 1935 (90 years)
Kenneth Colster Blackburn MNZM (born 1935) is a New Zealand actor and writer. He has worked in film, television, radio and theatre in New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom since 1972.
In an impressively wide-ranging career spanning more than 40 years Ken has worked in film, television, radio and theatre. Ken has appeared in many of New Zealand’s most iconic TV shows including Xena: Warrior Princess, Farscape, Close To Home, Gliding On and Shortland Street. His film credits include pioneering feature Skin Deep, The Frighteners, King Kong and Rest for the Wicked. Ken’s stage credits are also extensive. In 1999 his performance as Vladimir in Waiting for Godot earned him the Best Actor award at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. In 2005 he was awarded the Queen's Birthday Honours List for Services to the Performing Arts. Ken most recently performed in Circa Theatre’s 2017 production of Three Days in the Country. As well as his successful career as an actor in New Zealand, the UK and Australia, Ken has also directed stage, film, television and radio productions. His autobiographical book Blitz Kids was published by the BBC in 1995.
In an impressively wide-ranging career spanning more than 40 years Ken has worked in film, television, radio and theatre. Ken has appeared in many of New Zealand’s most iconic TV shows including Xena: Warrior Princess, Farscape, Close To Home, Gliding On and Shortland Street. His film credits include pioneering feature Skin Deep, The Frighteners, King Kong and Rest for the Wicked. Ken’s stage credits are also extensive. In 1999 his performance as Vladimir in Waiting for Godot earned him the Best Actor award at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. In 2005 he was awarded the Queen's Birthday Honours List for Services to the Performing Arts. Ken most recently performed in Circa Theatre’s 2017 production of Three Days in the Country. As well as his successful career as an actor in New Zealand, the UK and Australia, Ken has also directed stage, film, television and radio productions. His autobiographical book Blitz Kids was published by the BBC in 1995.
Filmography
| 2022 | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (TV Series) · as Tar-Palantir |
| 2022 | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Global Fan Screening · as Tar-Palantir |
| 2021 | Sweet Tooth (TV Series) · as Paul |
| 2016 | Hillary (TV Series) · as Sir Malcolm |
| 2015 | Sunset Song · as Galt |
| 2015 | Slow West · as Josh Mckenzie |
| 2014 | The Brokenwood Mysteries (TV Series) · as Edward Alderston |
| 2012 | Strongman: The Tragedy · as Mr. Tucker |
| 2009 | Until Proven Innocent · as Appeal Court Judge |
| 2008 | Legend of the Seeker (TV Series) · as Brother Joseph |
| 2005 | King Kong · as Stage Manager |
| 2002 | The Strip (2002) (TV Series) · as Finn's Father |
| 2001 | Atlantis High (TV Series) · as Mr. Dorsey |
| 2000 | Dark Knight (TV Series) · as Duke Of Bressingham |
| 1999 | |
| 1998 | The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson (TV Series) · as Oscar Wyss |
| 1998 | The Legend of William Tell (TV Series) · as Commissioner Esdras |
| 1996 | The Frighteners · as Dr. Kamins |
| 1995 | Xena: Warrior Princess (TV Series) · as King Menelaus |
| 1995 | Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (TV Series) · as Atreus |
| 1993 | White Fang (TV Series) · as Hank |
| 1993 | The Rainbow Warrior · as Gerard Curry |
| 1992 | Absent Without Leave · as C.o. |
| 1992 | Shortland Street (TV Series) · as Sir Bruce Warner |
| 1991 | Alexander Graham Bell: The Sound and the Silence · as Elisha Gray |
| 1991 | Which Way Home (TV Series) · as Immigration Officer |
| 1989 | Brotherhood of the Rose (TV Series) · as Forbes |
| 1988 | The Grasscutter · as Superintendent Lerwick |
| 1987 | Young Detectives on Wheels · as Inspector Hawley |
| 1987 | Ngati · as Agent |
| 1985 | The Ray Bradbury Theater (TV Series) · as Policeman |
| 1983 | Nearly No Christmas · as Undertaker |
| 1981 | Bad Blood · as Tommo Robson |
| 1981 | Pictures · as James Gilchrist |
| 1979 | Patrol Boat (TV Series) · as Commanding Officer |
| 1979 | Golden Soak (TV Series) · as Sgt Reynolds |
| 1978 | Skin Deep · as Bob Warner |
| 1977 | Chopper Squad (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1977 | Hunter's Gold (TV Series) · as Baddock |