Shimpal Lelisi (born ) is a New Zealand actor and TV presenter, best known as one of the members of the
Naked Samoans
The Naked Samoans is a New Zealand comedy group made up of Polynesian entertainers, most of whom are Samoans, Samoan. The group performs social humour and satire that attracts a broad audience, especially among white New Zealanders, without sacrif ...
.
Biography
Born in
Niue
Niue is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand. It is situated in the South Pacific Ocean and is part of Polynesia, and predominantly inhabited by Polynesians. One of the world's largest coral islands, Niue is c ...
, Shimpal came to New Zealand at the age of four. He began acting at an early age, taking part in school productions. Theatre was the beginning of his professional career, and among his stage appearances was with the Naked Samoans in ''Naked Samoans Talk about Their Knives''. Shimpal has since stayed with the group in later productions. The latest of the show was in December 2006 entitled ''Naked Samoans Go Home (Again)''.
In 1999, Shimpal joined the core cast of the soap opera ''
Shortland Street
''Shortland Street'' is a New Zealand Prime time, prime-time soap opera centring on the fictitious Shortland Street Hospital. The show was first broadcast on TVNZ 2 on 25 May 1992 and is New Zealand's longest-running drama and soap opera, be ...
'', playing the role of Nurse Louie Iosefa. However, his most successful involvement with television has been ''
bro'Town
''bro'Town'' is a New Zealand Adult animation, adult animated sitcom that aired on TV3 (New Zealand), TV3 from 22 September 2004 to 24 May 2009. It starred David Fane, Mario Gaoa, Shimpal Lelisi and Oscar Kightley.
Overview
The main charact ...
''. Shimpal is credited as both voice actor and writer for the animated series with the three other original Naked Samoans. In 2006, he co-starred in the comedy film '' Sione's Wedding''. Shimpal also works as a TV reporter for Tagata Pasifika (which co-stars Robbie Magasiva).
In 2014 he was fined $900 and banned from driving for six months for drunk-driving.
Lelisi is a castaway on the 2022 series of the New Zealand reality television show ''Celebrity Treasure Island''.
Filmography
Film
Television
See also
*
List of New Zealand television personalities
This is a list of New Zealand television personalities, including presenters and journalists. It includes those who left the profession, retired, or died.
A
* Suzy Aiken – television personality and Prime News presenter
* Peter Arnett – t ...