Robbie Magasiva
{{Short description|Samoan-New Zealand actor (born 1972)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Robbie Magasiva.jpg
| caption = Magasiva in 2013
| image_upright = 0.9
| name = Robbie Magasiva
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1972|8|26}}
| birth_name = Robbie Joseph Magasiva
| birth_place = Wellington, New Zealand
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1990–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Anna Magasiva|2006|2011|end=div}}
| partner = Alice Gordon
Natalie Medlock (2011–2022)
Kelly Mackey (2024–present)
| children = 2
| relatives = Pua Magasiva (brother, deceased) and 4 siblings
| website =
}}
Robbie Joseph Magasiva (born 26 August 1972) is a Samoan-New Zealand actor who has starred in several films and as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe. He has also appeared on television and in theatre, and was the co-presenter of New Zealand's Tagata Pasifika with famed athlete, Beatrice Faumuina. Magasiva is also known for his role on Shortland Street as Dr. Maxwell Avia, which he played from June 2009 to July 2012, and for his role as Will Jackson on the prison drama series, Wentworth (an adaptation of the women's prison drama Prisoner). Magasiva is the only male actor to appear in all eight seasons; he appeared in all 100 episodes of the show.
Biography
Magasiva, born in Wellington, New Zealand, was raised in a small community west of Apia, Samoa called Tanumapua. His family moved back to New Zealand permanently when he was 10 years old.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/10464110/Robbie-Magasiva-heads-for-Hollywood|title=Robbie Magasiva heads for Hollywood|website=Stuff|date=6 September 2014|access-date=12 May 2019}}
After leaving school, he tried his hand at theatre sports and acted in commercials while working as a receptionist at an advertising agency.{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street-cast/robbie-magasiva-2773438 |title=Watch Shortland Street On Demand |publisher=TVNZ |access-date=12 May 2019}}
=Acting career=
Magasiva had his start on television during the 1990s, beginning with comedy. In 1999, he portrayed Mason Keeler in Jackson's Wharf. In 2001 he starred in his first major film, Stickmen, and joined the Naked Samoans. In 2002, he played Mauhúr in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He returned to television in the show The Strip, continued his work with the Naked Samoans, and made a minor appearance in Power Rangers: Ninja Storm, also starring his brother Pua as the brother of Pua's character of Shane Clarke. In 2006, Magasiva co-starred in Sione's Wedding, a comedy film that achieved commercial success in New Zealand. In 2007 he co-starred in the horror film The Tattooist.
He joined the cast of Shortland Street as Dr. Maxwell Avia in 2009.{{cite web |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/838014/2708241 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523153320/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/838014/2708241 |archive-date=2009-05-23 |title=Robbie is coming! « Shortland Street « tvnz.co.nz}} The character was originally called Maxwell Novak but changed to Avia to relate to his Samoan descent.{{cite news |title=The Name Game |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/name-game-4984349?date=2012726&email=ent&pos=a1 |website=TVNZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075603/http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/name-game-4984349?date=2012726&email=ent&pos=a1 |archive-date=11 February 2017}} He left the series in 2012; he later reprised his role for a one-off appearance in September 2015.
In October 2012, Magasiva was cast in the Australian drama series Wentworth, a re-imaging of the classic show Prisoner. He plays Officer Will Jackson. The character's background was also changed when he was cast (originally meant to be an Australian officer).{{cite web|url=https://nowhitenoise.com/2015/09/wentworth-star-robbie-magasiva-talks-season-3-willbea-relationship-and-pilot-season-in-america/|title='Wentworth' star Robbie Magasiva talks Season 3, Will/Bea relationship and pilot season in America|first=McKenzie|last=Morrell|date=14 September 2015|website=NoWhiteNoise|access-date=12 May 2019}} In 2016, he guest starred in TVNZ's Dirty Laundry.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehits.co.nz/polly-grant/audio/robbie-magasiva-polly-talk-about-dirty-laundry/ |title=Robbie Magasiva & Polly talk about Dirty Laundry |website=www.thehits.co.nz |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011055132/http://www.thehits.co.nz/polly-grant/audio/robbie-magasiva-polly-talk-about-dirty-laundry/ |archive-date=11 October 2016 |url-status=dead}}
In 2021, Magasiva starred on the Paramount+ Australia original series, Spreadsheet.{{cite web|url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2021/07/11/paramount-announces-its-first-aussie-production-spreadsheet/?amp|title=Spreadsheet commissioned as first Aussie production for Paramount+|publisher=TV Blackbox|date=11 July 2021|access-date=13 July 2021|first=Steve|last=Molk}}
In 2022, Magasiva appeared alongside several members of the Wentworth cast at WentworthCon Melbourne.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |title="The Wentworth community is very strong" |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/09/the-wentworth-community-is-very-strong.html |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=TV Tonight |date=20 September 2022 |language=en-AU}}
In 2023, Magasiva gave an extensive interview about his acting career with podcast series MandateNZ, where he revealed he almost quit acting to become a firefighter after he finished filming Wentworth.{{Citation |title=Robbie Magasiva {{!}} Talking to a legend in NZ TV and film {{!}} Ep.51 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io0YzeA450Y |access-date=2023-10-01 |language=en}}
Also in 2023, Magasiva was named in the upcoming cast of NZ drama Madam.{{cite web |last=Keast |first=Jackie |date=29 September 2023 |title=Rachel Griffiths to lead NZ dramedy 'Madam' |url=https://if.com.au/rachel-griffiths-to-lead-nz-dramedy-madam/ |website=if.com.au}}
In 2024, Magasiva was cast as Sonny Jennings in the Fox lifeguard series Rescue: HI-Surf.{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2024-01-18 |title=Fox Sets Cast for Lifeguard Drama Series 'Rescue: Hi Surf' |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/fox-sets-cast-lifeguard-drama-230000933.html |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-AU}}{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=18 January 2024 |title='Rescue HI-Surf': Arielle Kebbel, Adam Demos & Robbie Magasiva Among 7 Cast in Fox Series |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/rescue-hi-surf-arielle-kebbel-adam-demos-robbie-magasiva-kekoa-kekumano-cast-1235796844/ |website=deadline}} Though he has been on American television before, this is his first series regular role in an American production. Magasiva later revealed that he had gone for a massage and put his phone on silent and when he walked out to check his phone he had 19 missed calls, one which was from his manager telling him he had landed the role of Jennings.{{Cite web |last=Croot |first=James |date=4 October 2024 |title=Rescue Hi Surf Robbie Magasiva dives into latest role |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/350435858/rescue-hi-surf-robbie-magasiva-dives-his-latest-role |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=www.thepost.co.nz}}
In 2025, Magasiva reprised his role in the Naked Samoans as the comedy troupe would do their last shows.{{Cite web |last=Reeve |first=Isabella |title=Oscar Kightley and Robbie Magasiva rave about working together as the Naked Samoans |url=https://www.rova.nz/articles/oscar-kightley-and-robbie-magasiva-rave-about-working-together-as-the-naked |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.rova.nz |language=en-NZ}}
Personal life
Magasiva is the first son of Salafa and Taufaiula Ropati Magasiva. He has four brothers, Stevan, Miki, twins Pua and Tanu, and adopted sister Trina Magasiva. He inspired his younger brother (Pua) to become an actor, landing him an audition for an alcohol awareness commercial.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/74947676/null|title=Pua Magasiva plays Santa in Shortland St special|website=Stuff|date=9 December 2015|access-date=12 May 2019}}
Pua died aged 38 on 11 May 2019. As a result, Magasiva flew to Wellington to be with his family.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/new-zealand-actor-pua-magasiva-dead-at-38/news-story/9312136607f6d44e584f56f03ab4ddd4|title=Former Shortland Street star Pua Magasiva dead at 38|date=11 May 2019|newspaper=News.com.au|access-date=12 May 2019|last1=Herald|first1=N. Z.}} Later he opened up about the devastating loss of his brother and raised mental health awareness.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |title=Robbie Magasiva Opens up About the Devastating Loss of His Beloved Brother Pua |url=https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/parenting/family/robbie-magasiva-brother-pua-magasiva-death-41731}}
Magasiva has two children, born in 1996 and 2000. Both reside in Auckland, and he looks after the kids week-on, week-off with their mother, Alice Gordon.{{cite web|url=https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/nz-womans-weekly|title=New Zealand Woman's Weekly|website=Now To Love|access-date=12 May 2019}}
In 2011, Magasiva began dating his Shortland Street co-star, Natalie Medlock. They first met in 2009 while performing in a play called Christ Almighty!.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |title=The Basement Presents Christ Almighty | Scoop News |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0911/S00023/the-basement-presents-christ-almighty.htm}} Medlock recalls it was her costume that earned Magasiva's heart.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=13 January 2024 |title=SnapChat: Natalie Medlock won Robbie Magasiva's heart by 'flashing her merkin' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12258073}} In 2015, the pair went on stage again with Christ Almighty! with the Wentworth cast{{Cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2015/11/wentworth-cast-lend-a-hand-for-the-homeless.html|title=Wentworth cast lend a hand for the homeless | TV Tonight|date=26 November 2015}} to raise money for the homeless. The couple attributed love and therapy for their long-term relationship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/lifestyle/sex-relationships/robbie-magasiva-and-partner-natalie-medlock-on-depression-and-anxiety-38593|title = Depression, Anxiety and Devotion: Robbie Magasiva and Natalie Medlock on How Love and Therapy Saved Them}}
Previously, he was married to Anna Magasiva, whom he met while he was a receptionist.{{cite web |last=Russell |first=Nicola |date=26 March 2011 |title=Doctor of comedy |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/entertainment/4788229/Doctor-of-comedy |access-date=12 May 2019 |website=Stuff}}
In 2024, Magasiva revealed that he had moved to the U.S. and is in a relationship with producer Kelly Mackey.{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=John |title=i-wouldnt-have-healed-properly-if-i-hadnt-gone-through-tough-time |url=https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/culture/350195068/i-wouldnt-have-healed-properly-if-i-hadnt-gone-through-tough-time |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=waikatotimes.co.nz}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Stickmen | Jack | |
| 2002 | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | Mauhúr | |
| rowspan="2"|2006 | Sione's Wedding | Michael | |
| In Her Line of Fire | Petelo | ||
| rowspan="3"|2007 | The Ferryman | Craig (Man in Club) | |
| The Tattooist | Alipati | ||
| Perfect Creature | Frank | ||
| 2012 | Sione's 2: Unfinished Business | Michael | |
| 2015 | Now Add Honey | Chef Sebastian Tasi | |
| 2020 | Lowdown Dirty Criminals | Semo | |
| 2023 | Bad Behaviour | Lawrence | |
| 2024 | The Moon Is Upside Down | Tim | {{cite web |title=The Moon is Upside Down |url=https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/moon-upside-down |publisher=New Zealand Film Commission |access-date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517213414/https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/moon-upside-down |archive-date=17 May 2024 |url-status=live}} |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | class="unsortable"|Notes
!Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–1991 | Shark in the Park | Uninformed branch | 14 episodes
| |
| 1993–1995 | Skitz | Various characters | | |
| 1996–1998 | Telly Laughs | Various characters | | |
| rowspan="2"|1998 | The Semisis | Lagi | | |
| Tiger Country | Television film
| | ||
| 1999–2000 | Jackson's Wharf | Mason Keeler | 29 episodes
| |
| 2002–2003 | The Strip | Adam Lima | 32 episodes
| |
| 2003 | Power Rangers: Ninja Storm | Porter Clarke | Episode: "Eye of the Storm"
| |
| 2005 | Mataku | Frank | Episode: "The Wild Ones - Te Uru Takariri"
| |
| 2006 | Doves of War | Xavier Collins | 6 episodes
| |
| 2008 | Burying Brian | Tony | 2 episodes
| |
| 2009 | Diplomatic Immunity | Prince To'omai | 2 episodes
| |
| 2010–2013 | Shortland Street | Maxwell Avia | Main role
| |
| 2012 | Auckland Daze | Robbie | 3 episodes
| |
| 2013 | Offspring | Ugly Pete | Episode: "Numbing the Pain"
| |
| 2013–2021 | Wentworth | Will Jackson | 8 seasons, 100 episodes
| |
| rowspan="2"|2016 | Black Comedy | Guest cast | Episode #2.6
| |
| Dirty Laundry | Jackson | 7 episodes
| | |
| rowspan="2"|2021 | Head High | Mitch Belsham | 8 episodes
| |
| Spreadsheet | Jake | 7 episodes
| | |
| 2021–2024 | Under the Vines | Robert The Builder | 4 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2022 | My Life Is Murder | Hamish | Episode: "Silent Lights" |
| Duckrockers | Ropati | 4 episodes
| | |
| rowspan="2"|2024 | Dark City: The Cleaner | DI Carl Schroder | 6 episodes
| |
| Madam | Lima | 9 episodes | |
| 2024–2025 | Rescue: HI-Surf | Harlan 'Sonny' Jennings | TV series: 19 episodes
| |
=Other appearances=
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !class="unsortable" | Notes !Ref |
| 2019
| Wentworth: Behind the Bars | rowspan="4"|Self | rowspan="3"|TV special | |
| 2020
| Wentworth: Behind the Bars 2 | |
| 2021
| Wentworth: Unlocked | |
| 2023
| MandateNZ | Podcast series, 1 episode |
Theatre
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes !Ref |
| 2025
|Last Temptation of the Naked Samoans | |Q Theatre |
| 2020
|Every Brilliant Thing | | |
| 2019
|Club Paradiso Revival |Q | |
| 2017
| |Auckland Festival |
| 2015
|Club Paradiso |Q |Basement Theatre |
| 2007
|My Name is Gary Cooper |Gary Cooper | |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/robbie-magasiva Robbie's biography] and [http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/robbie-magasiva/screenography screenography] on NZ On Screen
- {{IMDb name|0535741}}
- {{cite news|title=Upfront: Robbie Magasiva|url=http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3442/features/5970/robbie_magasiva.html|publisher=New Zealand Listener|date=29 April – 5 May 2006}}
- {{cite news|title=The naked truth about heartthrob Robbie|url=http://www.black-magic.co.nz/home/?p=69|publisher=Black Magic|date=19 March 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011212942/http://www.black-magic.co.nz/home/?p=69|archive-date=11 October 2007|df=dmy-all}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Magasiva, Robbie}}
Category:20th-century New Zealand male actors
Category:21st-century New Zealand male actors
Category:Actors of Samoan descent
Category:New Zealand expatriates in Australia
Category:New Zealand male film actors
Category:New Zealand male television actors
Category:New Zealand people of Samoan descent
Category:New Zealand television presenters
Category:People educated at St Patrick's College, Wellington
Category:New Zealand male comedians