Josh McKenzie

Biography

Josh McKenzie is a New Zealand actor, writer, and director who gained national attention for his compelling performances on both screen and stage. He first came to prominence in 2011, winning the Most Outstanding Debut Performance at the AFTA Awards for his portrayal of teenager Marc Snell in The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell. 

The role, which explored themes of guilt and family tragedy, also earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film at the same ceremony. Notably, McKenzie’s younger brother, William V. McKenzie, played the comatose sibling in the film.

Following high school, McKenzie honed his craft at Toi Whakaari, New Zealand’s premier acting academy, which boasts alumni such as Cliff Curtis, Robyn Malcolm, and Kerry Fox. Eager to test his talent on stage, he played Lysander in a modernized production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Auckland Theatre Company, receiving acclaim for his versatility and stage presence.

McKenzie expanded his career across a broad spectrum of New Zealand film and television. He appeared in fantasy series, including Legend of the Seeker, The Shannara Chronicles, and Power Rangers, as well as drama and comedy series like Girl vs. Boy, Go Girls, and Nothing Trivial. His film credits include leading roles in The Kick and Tangiwai. In 2013, he joined the cast of Shortland Street, New Zealand’s longest-running nightly drama.

Beyond acting, McKenzie has demonstrated skill as a writer and director. In 2014, he co-wrote, starred in, and directed the web series The Transplants, a dry comedy satirizing the realities of moving to Hollywood and the banality behind show business.

In 2015, McKenzie landed the role of John Jnr. Truebridge in Filthy Rich, New Zealand’s highest-budgeted television production to date. Portraying a playboy with sociopathic tendencies and various addictions, the role highlighted McKenzie’s ability to tackle complex and challenging characters.