Nathaniel Lees is a New Zealand theatre actor and director and film actor of Samoan descent, best known for film roles in ''

The Matrix Reloaded ''The Matrix Reloaded'' is a 2003 American science-fiction action film written and directed by the Wachowskis. It is a sequel to '' The Matrix'' (1999) and the second installment in the ''Matrix'' film series. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Lau ...

'', '' The Matrix Revolutions'' and '' The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' and for starring in '' Young Hercules'' as

Chiron In Greek mythology, Chiron ( ; also Cheiron or Kheiron; ) was held to be the superlative centaur amongst his brethren since he was called the "wisest and justest of all the centaurs". Biography Chiron was notable throughout Greek mythology ...

the centaur.

Acting career

Lees was born in

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...

, New Zealand. He was brought up in an environment where Samoan was commonly spoken, so he grew up thinking of himself as being Samoan. He got his first acting job because of "being brown", as the theatre required brown people running around on stage killing

Captain Cook James Cook (7 November 1728 Old Style date: 27 October – 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the British Royal Navy, famous for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the Pacific Ocean and ...

. Part of the audition was him walking through the door, and upon doing so, he "had the job". He is known for his role as Captain Mifune in ''The Matrix'' trilogy and his role as "Uglúk" in ''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers''. He has also had roles on the TV series '' Young Hercules'', ''

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys ''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'' is an American television series filmed in New Zealand, based on the tales of the classical Greek culture hero Heracles (Hercules was his Roman analogue). Starring Kevin Sorbo as Hercules and Michael Hurst as ...

'' and '' Xena: Warrior Princess''. He appeared in '' 30 Days of Night'' with

Josh Hartnett Joshua Daniel Hartnett (born July 21, 1978) is an American actor and producer. He first came to attention in 1997 for his role as Michael Fitzgerald in the television crime drama series '' Cracker''. He made his feature film debut in 1998 in th ...

. He also played Master Mao in the ''

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'' series ''

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''. Early television appearances in New Zealand included a regular role in the 1989 series '' Shark in the Park''. He is also well known for a long career in theatre, having received many prestigious rewards for his contribution to the arts. Lees was one of the influential actors that paved the way for Pacific theatre in New Zealand. In 2004 he was awarded the Senior Pacific Artist Award at the Creative New Zealand

Arts Pasifika Awards The Arts Pasifika Awards celebrate excellence in Pacific arts in New Zealand. The annual awards are administered by Creative New Zealand and are the only national awards for Pasifika artists across all artforms. The Arts Pasifika Awards includ ...

Theatre director

Lees was the director of the award winning play ''Think of a Garden'' written by John Kneubuhl, performed at the Watershed Theatre in 1993 in Auckland and then again in 1995 produced by Cath Cardiff and performed at Taki Rua Theatre in

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by metr ...

1995. At the prestigious Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards 1995, the play won ''Production of the Year'' and Lees was awarded ''Director of the Year.'' In 1996, he directed ''A Frigate Bird Sings'' co-written by

Oscar Kightley Oscar Vai To'elau Kightley (born 14 September 1969) is a Samoan-born New Zealand actor, television presenter, writer, journalist, director, and comedian. He acted in and co-wrote the successful 2006 film ''Sione's Wedding''. Biography Kightley ...

and Dave Fane and produced by Makerita Urale for the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts. The set was designed by Kate Peters and Michel Tuffery. The play was nominated for ''Production of the Year, Director of the Year,'' and ''Set Design'' at the 1996 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. In 2003, Lees directed ''The Songmaker's Chair'' by Albert Wendt. He also directed ''Awhi Tapu'', by Māori playwright Albert Belz.

Filmography

*''Other Halves'' (1984) – Court Clerk *'' Death Warmed Up'' (1984) – Jackson *''

Shaker Run ''Shaker Run'' is a 1985 New Zealand action film directed by Bruce Morrison and starring Cliff Robertson, Leif Garrett, and Lisa Harrow. It follows a stunt driver (Robertson) and his ace mechanic (Garrett) on the run from secret police in the ...

'' (1985) – Squad Commander *''Chill Factor'' (1989) – Charles *'' Rapa-Nui'' (1994) – Long Ear Chief *'' Bonjour Timothy'' (1995) – Mr. Wiley *'' The Other Side of Heaven'' (2001) – Kelepi *'' The Lost World'' (2001, TV Movie) – Indian chief *'' The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (2002) – Uglúk *''

'' (2003) – Mifune *'' Liquid Bridge'' (2003) – Ogitani *'' The Matrix Revolutions'' (2003) – Mifune *'' No. 2'' (2006) – Uncle John *'' Sione's Wedding'' (2006) – Minister *'' The Tattooist'' (2007) – Mr. Perenese *'' 30 Days of Night'' (2007) – Carter Davies *''

'' (2008, TV Series) – Master Mao *''Journey to Ihipa'' (2008) *'' Under the Mountain'' (2009) – Detective Gray *'' Sione's 2: Unfinished Business'' (2012) – Minister *''

Mr. Pip ''Mr. Pip'' is a 2012 film written and directed by Andrew Adamson and based on Lloyd Jones (New Zealand author), Lloyd Jones' novel ''Mister Pip''. Hugh Laurie played Mr. Watts. Plot In 1989, as the Bougainville Civil War rages on in Papua New ...

'' (2012) – Mr. Jaggers *''Realiti'' (2014) – George *'' One Thousand Ropes'' (2016) – Henry Pasi *''Everybody Else Is Taken'' (2016, Short) – Geoffrey *'' Mortal Engines'' (2018) *''The Other Side of Heaven II: Fire of Faith'' (2019) – Kelepi *'' The Dead Lands'' (2020, TV Series) – Te Kaipō

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Lees, Nathaniel New Zealand male film actors New Zealand male television actors Living people People from Auckland New Zealand people of Samoan descent 21st-century New Zealand male actors Actors of Samoan descent 1972 births