Celebrity Info
Born in New Zealand back in 1968, Cliff Curtis has always had a natural flair for performance—long before he ever stepped into a formal acting class. Of Māori descent, Cliff Curtis was drawn to the arts early on, eventually attending theater schools in his home country and even studying at the prestigious Teatro Dimitri Scuola in Switzerland. After returning to New Zealand, Cliff Curtis began building his reputation on stage, tackling classic roles while also embracing parts that reflected his cultural heritage. It’s no surprise that his first screen appearances were in New Zealand film and television, but what is surprising is just how quickly those early roles brought him international attention.
Cliff Curtis made his mark with a supporting role in Jane Campion’s Academy Award-nominated masterpiece, The Piano (1993). He then took on a more intense character—Bully—in the powerful and widely acclaimed Once Were Warriors (1994), another major export from New Zealand cinema. That performance, raw and unforgettable, helped open doors overseas. Thanks to the global success of that film, Cliff Curtis soon found himself transitioning into Hollywood, landing solid supporting roles in big-name productions. You might remember him in the romantic adventure Six Days, Seven Nights (1998), the gripping political drama The Insider (1999), or the intense cop thriller Training Day (2001)—each role adding depth to Cliff Curtis’s growing resume.
But despite his rising profile abroad, Cliff Curtis never strayed far from his roots. One standout moment came in 2002 with Whale Rider, an Oscar-nominated film where Cliff Curtis delivered a heartfelt performance as a Māori father struggling to connect with his gifted daughter. The role resonated deeply, both culturally and emotionally, and reminded audiences of the authenticity he brings to every part.
Over the years, Cliff Curtis continued to appear in notable feature films, gradually expanding his range. Then, in 2009, he took on his first series regular role in the medical drama Trauma (NBC, 2009–2010). Though the show lasted just one season, it showcased Cliff Curtis’s ability to carry a series. He later starred alongside Ashley Judd in ABC’s Missing (2012), and in 2014 became a series regular on Fox’s Gang Related. That same year, exciting news broke: Cliff Curtis had been cast as the lead in AMC’s first spinoff of the massively popular The Walking Dead (AMC, 2010– ).
That role—Travis Manawa in Fear the Walking Dead (AMC, 2015–2023)—became one of his most recognized performances. Later, fans heard a different side of Cliff Curtis when he lent his voice to the character Paul in the Amazon animated series Invincible (2021– ). Beyond acting, Cliff Curtis has also made a name for himself behind the scenes, earning executive producer credits on impactful projects like The Dark Horse (2014), the documentary Merata: How Mum Decolonised The Screen (2019), and Muru (2022).
In recent years, Cliff Curtis has continued to dominate the big screen. He appeared in James Cameron’s epic Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), returned for more underwater action in The Meg 2: The Trench (2023), and is set to star in the upcoming Last Breath (2025). With a career that spans decades and continents, Cliff Curtis remains a powerful presence in film and television. And given the number of projects currently in the works, it’s clear that Cliff Curtis isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
When it comes to Cliff Curtis’s film career, one standout performance definitely shines through — his role in The Dark Horse (2014), which is widely regarded as Cliff Curtis’s highest-rated film to date. Critics and audiences alike praised his powerful and emotionally resonant portrayal, making it a defining moment in his acting journey. On the other hand, not every project has received the same level of acclaim. For instance, A Thousand Words (2012) ended up being one of the lower points in his filmography, earning mixed to negative reviews overall. While Cliff Curtis consistently delivers strong performances, this contrast shows the range of his work — from deeply impactful roles like in The Dark Horse to less successful ventures such as A Thousand Words. Still, Cliff Curtis remains a respected figure in the industry, known for choosing meaningful projects that challenge him as an actor.
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