Semu Filipo
- Locations
- Auckland
- Ethnicity
- African American, NZ European, Pacific Islander, Polynesian, Samoan, Tokelauan
- Age Range
- 38 - 48
- Height
- 180cm / 5ft 11in
Bio
Semu Filipo, of Samoan and Tokelauan descent, graduated from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in 2004 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Acting. His career took off immediately as he collaborated with renowned theatre companies across New Zealand, such as Downstage in Wellington, Silo in Auckland, The Court in Dunedin, Auckland’s Pop-Up Globe Theatre where he showcased his talents in successive seasons of Othello and Much Ado About Nothing and most recently Auckland Theatre Company’s Things That Matter.
Semu has also worked on many well-known New Zealand series, including Orange Roughies, Harry, Kura and Shortland Street. In 2021, Semu landed his first big international role in the highly successful series Young Rock for NBC America based on the early life of The Rock. This was followed by the NZFC feature The Justice for Bunny King, featuring New Zealand’s lead actor Thomasin McKenzie. 2023 will see Semu play the role of Rambo in the feature film Next Goal Wins directed by Taika Waititi.
Film
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Next Goal Wins | Rambo | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, dir: Taika Waititi | Feature Film |
| 2021 | The Justice of Bunnyking | Jah | NZFC, Madman Entertainment AUS, Firefly Films NZ, dir: Gaysorn Thavat | Feature Film |
| 2008 | Show of Hands | Tayshawn | Great Southern Films, dir. Anthony McCarten | Feature Film |
Television
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Kura | Nigel | TVNZ, dir: Various | Drama |
| 2021 | Young Rock | Phil | National Broadcasting Company (NBC) America, dir: Various | Drama |
| 2013 | Harry | Tavita | Dir. Peter Burger, Chris Dudman | Drama |
| 2013 | Auckland Daze | Semu | BSAG Productions, dir. Kiel McNaughton | Drama |
| 2007-2009 | Shortland Street | Grunter | South Pacific Pictures, dir. Various | Drama |
| 2007 | Orange Roughies | Trooper | Dir. Chris Bailey, John Laing, Peter Sharp | Drama |
Theatre
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | O Le Pepelo, Le gaoi ma Le Pala'ai | Pili Sā Tauilevā (Father) | ATC / dir. Natano Keni | |
| 2023 | O Le Pepelo, Le gaoi ma Le Pala'ai | Pili Sā Tauilevā (Father) | Mau Festival, dir: Nathanial LeesKia | |
| 2023 | Things That Matter | Chris & Sol | Auckland Theatre Company, dir: Anapela Polataivao | |
| 2023 | The Worm | Ben Chrowder | Nightsong Productions | |
| 2017 | Othello | Soldier | Pop-Up Globe Auckland Season | |
| 2017 | Much Ado About Nothing | Benedick | Pop-Up Globe Auckland Season | |
| 2015 | Hamlet: The Video Game | Claudius | The Court Theatre, dir. Simon Peacock | |
| 2015 | Niu Sila | Ioane Tafioka | The Court Theatre, dir. Dan Pengelly | |
| 2013 | Tautai - Kinetic Wavefinding | Heto Ah Hi | Dir. Oscar Knightley | |
| 2007 | Ensemble Project 07 | Performer | Silo Theatre, dir. Shane Bosher | |
| 2005-2007 | And What Remains | Soloman | Pasifika Arts Festival, dir. Hone Kouka | |
| 2005 | Love Handles | David | Auckland Festival, dir. Vela Manusaute | |
| 2005 | Simi's Plight | Simi | Island Players, dir. Vela Manusaute | |
| 2004 | Romeo & Juliet | Benvolio | Downstage Theatre | |
| 2004 | Penumbra | Moala Tuinafanga | NZDS, dir. Jade Eriksen, Christian Penny | |
| 2003 | 'Auluma' Go Solo | Papa | NZDS, dir. Jude Gibson |
Commercial
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Frank Energy | Toast Man | Motion Sickness NZ | |
| 2023 | Kalo Yoghurt | Attendant | DDB |
Training
| Year | Description | Institution / Presenter | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-2006 | Bachelor of Performing Arts | Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School | ||
| 2003 | Diploma in Drama | Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School |
Languages
Advanced: Samoan
Accents
Advanced: Australian | New Zealand | Samoan
Intermediate: American - Californian | American - General | British | Irish | Māori | New Zealand | Pacific Islander | Scottish | Standard US | UK - Cockney | UK - English
Sports
Advanced: Boxing | Cricket | Fishing | Grid Iron | Ping Pong / Table Tennis | Rugby League | Rugby Union | Snooker | Volleyball
Intermediate: AFL Football | Archery | Athletics | Badminton | Baseball | Basketball | Darts | Fencing | Frisbee | Golf | Gym | Hockey | Hula Hoop | Kick Boxing | Lawn Bowls | Netball | Running / Jogging | Shooting | Soccer | Softball | Speed Walking | Tennis | Touch Football | Weight Lifting | Wrestling
Circus & Horse
Intermediate: Clown
Driving & Flying
Advanced: Driving (general)
Intermediate: Drag Racing | Dune Buggy | Farm Equipment | Go-karting | Stick Shift
Stunts & Weapons
Intermediate: Stunts | Weapons
Singing Range
Tenor
Singing Styles
Advanced: Choral
Intermediate: Ballad | Blues | Cabaret | Contemporary | General | Jazz | Lip Sync | Musical | Musical | Opera | Popular | Rock | Show
Musical Instruments
Intermediate: Drums | Guitar | Piano
Dance
Advanced: Cabaret
Intermediate: Ballroom | Disco | Hip Hop | Māori | Rock 'n' Roll | Traditional