Beloved New Zealand actor who appeared in Lord of the Rings and Xena: Warrior Princess dies aged 85
As a dedicated follower of New Zealand’s vibrant entertainment industry, I am deeply saddened by the passing of David Weatherley at the age of 85. His career spanning over half a century, filled with acclaimed productions, leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of many. From his humble beginnings in community theatre to voicing a character in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, Weatherley’s journey is nothing short of inspirational.
Beloved New Zealand actor David Weatherley has died aged 85.
Born in England in 1939, the seasoned entertainer took his final bow in Auckland on Thursday after a prolonged battle with illness.
Weatherley appeared in many acclaimed productions throughout his career, including Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and Xena: Warrior Princess.
The heartbreaking news of his passing was confirmed in an obituary in The New Zealand Herald.
As a devoted admirer, I’d like to express that I mesmerized crowds spanning theaters, radios, films, and televisions, garnering global acclaim along the way.
In the late ’50s, Weatherly was a serviceman for the Canadian military, and then he embarked on an acting career following his move to New Zealand in 1961.
First, the aspiring actor made a name for himself on local theater stages. Later, he transitioned into voiceovers and eventually landed roles in movies and TV shows.
He worked in showbusiness for almost fifty years, beginning his career in 1975 on the NZ drama series The Mackenzie Affair, alongside Narnia star James Cosmo.
The actor was subsequently featured in several well-known New Zealand productions, such as Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive and Hercules: The Mythic Journeys.
In the late 80s, Weatherly resided in Australia as well. During that time, he made appearances on both “Home and Away” and “A Country Practice”.
I was thrilled to lend my voice to a character in the iconic 2004 game, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II. It was an unforgettable experience that still gets me geeking out!
During the course of his illustrious acting journey, Weatherley shared screen time with several globally acclaimed actors, such as Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, and Lucy Lawless.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of gracing stages throughout New Zealand, captivating crowds with my performances in various plays such as Henry V and Evita.
His final work was a voice role in the 2019 NZ animated movie Mosley, alongside Lucy Lawless and Temuera Morrison.
As a loyal admirer and acknowledging his extended journey in the entertainment industry, I was thrilled to learn that in 2016, the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand bestowed upon him a Scroll of Honor.
Weatherley is survived by his ex-wife Anita and their two children, Richard and Marion.
His passing comes just three months after the death of another beloved New Zealand performer, Glenis Levestam.
As a devoted admirer and lifelong student of the stage, I’m deeply saddened to share that a towering figure, who graced our screens for four decades, has departed from us. After an unyielding battle with cancer, she took her final bow in a healthcare facility. Her indelible legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
It was announced that Glenis passed away peacefully at Roseneath Lifecare on the 14th of September, according to an obituary published on Legacy.
I’d like to express gratitude towards the compassionate and diligent team at Roseneath for the care they provided Glen during his final months. As per Glen’s wishes, a private family ceremony was conducted instead.
At the tender age of 20, Levestam kick-started her acting journey back in 1966, and for an impressive span of four decades, she remained a regular presence in New Zealand’s film and television productions.
She gained significant recognition globally, particularly for her role in the classic 1992 New Zealand horror-comedy “Braindead,” which was directed by the acclaimed filmmaker behind The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson.
Additionally, she starred alongside American actor Kevin Sorbo in the action TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, as well as in the 2004 film titled Fracture.
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2024-12-17 01:18