John Callen
John Callen, originally from the UK, is a seasoned actor and director who has called New Zealand home for more than 60 years.
- Locations
- Auckland
- Ethnicity
- NZ European
- Age Range
- 72 - 84
- Height
- 181cm / 5ft 11in
- Bust/Chest
- 116cm / 46in
- Waist
- 116cm / 46in
- Hips
- 116cm / 46in
Bio
John Callen's illustrious career, spanning five decades, has seen him make substantial contributions to various forms of media including theatre, radio, film, and television. Not only has he been in front of the camera, but he has also worked behind the scenes as a director, writer, tutor, and voiceover artist. Callen is perhaps best known for his role as the deaf dwarf Oin, in Sir Peter Jackson’s acclaimed Hobbit Trilogy.
John Callen’s unwavering dedication to his craft was acknowledged when he was honoured with the 2021 New Zealand Actors Equity Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious accolade, bestowed upon him by his fellow actors, is a testament to his remarkable contributions to the field of acting and in particular his dedication to developing talent in young people.
Film
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Love Knots | Ted | ALK Productions & Incendo Media Canada, dir: Joshua Frizzell | Feature Film |
| 2014 | The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies | Dwarf Oin | Wingnut Films, dir. Sir Peter Jackson | Feature Film |
| 2013 | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug | Dwarf Oin | Wingnut Films, dir. Sir Peter Jackson | Feature Film |
| 2012 | The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey | Dwarf Oin | Wingnut Films, dir. Sir Peter Jackson | Feature Film |
| 2011 | Love Birds | Professor Craddock | General Film Corporation, dir. Paul Murphy | Feature Film |
| 1988 | Send a Gorilla | Chris Dean | Pinflicks Productions, dir. Melanie Read | Feature Film |
Television
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Shortland Street | Judge Jamie Sutton | South Pacific Pictures, dir: Various | Drama |
| 2022 | Rūrangi | Father Martin | Autonomouse LTD | Drama |
| 2020 | The Luminaries | Customs Officer | The Luminaries Production Ltd | Drama |
| 2019 | The Brokenwood Mysteries 6 | K.L Carnaby | South Pacific Pictures, dir. Aidee Walker | Drama |
| 2019 | Darryl 2 | Colin | Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Ltd | Drama |
| 2018 | Straight Forward | Bruno | Screentime NZ / Mastiff, dir. Ric Pellizzeri | Drama |
| 2017 | Moe's Christmas | Voice | Pop-Up Workshop Ltd | Drama |
| 2010 | The Kiwi Who Saved Britain | Narrator | Greenstone Pictures | Drama |
| 2007 | The Man Who Lost His Head | Nigel Harrison | South Pacific Pictures, dir. Terry Johnson | Drama |
| 2004 | Treasure Island Kids | Conrad | Dir. Gavin Scott, Micheal Hurst | Drama |
| 2000 | Feathers of Peace | Settler | He Taonga Films, dir. Barry Barclay | Drama |
| 1993 | The Rainbow Warrior | Prime Minister David Lange | Bonny Dore Productions, dir. Michael Tuchner | Drama |
Web Series
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Viva La Dirt League: Bored | Various | Viva La Dirt League Productions | |
| 2023 | Viva La Dirt League: Alan vs. Santa | Various | Viva La Dirt League Productions | |
| 2022 | Good Grief S2 | Ed | Good Grief Productions | |
| 2021 | Viva La Dirt League: EPIC NPC | Commander & Older Warrior | Viva La Dirt League Productions |
Theatre
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Much Ado About Nothing | Leonata | Pop-Up Globe Theatre | |
| 2004 | Macbeth | Duncan / Porter | Large Group, dir. Michael Hurst | |
| 1994 | Hamlet | Claudius | Watershed, dir. Michael Hurst | |
| 1993 | Think of a Garden | Frank | Watershed, dir. Nathaniel Lees | |
| 1993 | Daughters of Heaven | Prosecutor | ATC, dir. Colin McColl | |
| 1993 | Romeo & Juliet | Benvolio | Aotea Centre, dir. Michael Hurst | |
| 1992 | Macbeth | Macbeth | Aotea Centre, dir. Michael Hurst | |
| 1992 | My Fair Lady | Karpathy | Aotea Centre, dir. R Hawthorne | |
| 1991 | M Butterfly | Toulon | Mercury Theatre, dir. Paul Minifie | |
| 1989 | Woman in Black | Lead | Circa Theatre, dir. Cathy Downes | |
| 1987 | The Share Club | Warren | Downstage Theatre, dir. Colin McColl | |
| 1986 | Master Class | Zhdanov | Circa Theatre, dir. Ross Jolly | |
| 1982 | Hamlet | Polonius | Downstage Theatre, dir. Tony Taylor |
Short Film
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Insula | Michael's Father | Dir. Catherine Waller | Short Film |
| 2016 | 21 Points | Waldorf - Homeless Man | Studio Local Ltd | Short Film |
Video
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Viva la Dirt League | Self | Viva la Dirt League Ltd |
Commercial
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Lloyd's Bank 'Running Of The Horses' | Grandfather / Neighbour | adam&eve DDB |
Languages
Advanced: French
Intermediate: Italian
Accents
Advanced: American - General | Australian | British | French | German | Italian | Portuguese | UK - Cockney | UK - English | UK - Liverpool | UK - Manchester | UK - New Castle | UK - Scottish
Intermediate: American - New York | American - Southern | Eastern European | New Zealand
Sports
Intermediate: Cricket
Circus & Horse
Intermediate: Horse Riding | Stage Combat
Driving & Flying
Intermediate: Driving (general) | Motorcycle | Stick Shift
Singing Range
Baritone | Bass
Singing Styles
Intermediate: General | Show
Dance
Intermediate: General Movement