Ken Blackburn

Ken Blackburn

Born: June 6, 1935
in Horfield, Bristol, England, UK
Equity New Zealand is thrilled to announce that Ken Blackburn ONZM is the recipient of the 2017 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Ryman Healthcare.

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.

Equity President Jennifer Ward-Lealand says: “I cannot think of a more worthy recipient for this award than Ken Blackburn. Since the 1970s Ken has been gracing our screens and stages, delivering countless moving and memorable performances. Ken’s name has come up time and time again during the nomination and section process for the Lifetime Achievement Award because he is such a beloved and respected member of our performer community.”

Ken was nominated by New Zealand performers and selected by the board of Equity New Zealand.

Since its inception, the Equity New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award has been made possible with the generous support of Ryman Healthcare. Previous recipients include Elizabeth McRae and Dame Kate Harcourt.

Ryman Healthcare chief executive Gordon MacLeod said it was great to see Ken rewarded for his many years of hard work and dedication to acting. “We’re delighted to see Ken achieve this recognition. His many characters – hapless, bumbling and sometimes downright sinister - have delighted generations of New Zealanders and he has made a huge contribution to TV, film and theatre in New Zealand. Congratulations Ken!’’

Ken will be honoured at an awards ceremony in Auckland in November.

Movies for Ken Blackburn...

Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Character: Tar-Palantir
Released: September 1, 2022
Type: TV
Beginning in a time of relative peace, we follow an ensemble cast of characters as they confront the re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Global Fan Screening
Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Global Fan Screening
Character: Tar-Palantir
Released: August 31, 2022
Type: Movie
An edited version of the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, shown exclusively to fans in cinemas around the world in August 2022. In a time of relative peace, an ensemble cast of characters confronts the re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.
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Sunset Song
Title: Sunset Song
Character: Galt
Released: December 4, 2015
Type: Movie
The daughter of a Scottish farmer comes of age in the early 1900s.
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Slow West
Title: Slow West
Character: Josh McKenzie
Released: May 15, 2015
Type: Movie
In the Old West, a 17-year-old Scottish boy teams up with a mysterious gunman to find the woman with whom he is infatuated.
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Antonio's Secret
Title: Antonio's Secret
Character: Antonio Berglas
Released: January 1, 2011
Type: Movie
A time capsule is found under a home after the Christchurch earthquake. There is a series of predictions that turn out to be true except one. That the finder will have psychic powers. The owner is on a quest to track down the writer and finds he was a famous magician. Is the magician correct? Does the owner have psychic powers?
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Title: Legend of the Seeker
Character: Brother Joseph
Released: November 1, 2008
Type: TV
The adventures of woodsman Richard Cypher, who discovers that he was born to fulfill a prophecy of becoming a guardian hero to oppressed people. With the help of a mysterious woman named Kahlan and a wise old wizard named Zedd, he must stop a ruthless and bloodthirsty tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil and enslaving the world.
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The Frighteners
Title: The Frighteners
Character: Dr. Kamins
Released: July 18, 1996
Type: Movie
Once an architect, Frank Bannister now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his "special" gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife. But what he does not count on is more people dying in the small town where he lives. As he tries to piece together the supernatural mystery of these killings, he falls in love with the wife of one of the victims and deals with a crazy FBI agent.
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Title: Xena: Warrior Princess
Character: King Menelaus
Released: September 4, 1995
Type: TV
Xena is an infamous warrior on a quest to seek redemption for her past sins against the innocent. Accompanied by her comrade-in-arms Gabrielle, the campy couple use their formidable fighting skills to help those who are unable to defend themselves.
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Title: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Character: Atreus
Released: January 29, 1995
Type: TV
The legendary son of Zeus journeys across the earth fighting monsters and helping people.
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Title: White Fang
Released: September 17, 1993
Type: TV
White Fang was a 1993 television series loosely based on a novel by Jack London. During its single season 26 episodes were produced. It tells the story of young Matt Scott who adopts a wolf/dog named Fang who continually saves him from bad situations.
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Title: Shortland Street
Character: Sir Bruce Warner
Released: May 25, 1992
Type: TV
A fast-paced serial drama in an urban setting, this show explores the lives and loves of the patients and staff of a modern metropolitan hospital and contains a heady mix of medical crisis, human drama, comedy, romance and suspense. Follow the lives and loves of the residents of Ferndale, in New Zealand's longest-running drama.
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Title: The Governor
Character: Admiral Henry Keppell
Released: October 6, 1977
Type: TV
Historical television series about Sir George Gray
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Un colmo blanco
Title: Un colmo blanco
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie