James Rolleston (born 8 June 1997)[1] is a New Zealand actor known for the films Boy[2] and The Dark Horse.[3][4] The latter was released in October 2014[5] and had its world premiere at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on 4 September.[6]

James Rolleston
Born (1997-06-08) 8 June 1997 (age 27)
New Zealand
EducationŌpōtiki College
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present
Notable work

Film career

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Rolleston made his screen debut in the Taika Waititi film Boy, playing the main role of the child who idolises his father. Boy became the most successful local film released in New Zealand to date. In 2014 he took roles in two further films: critically acclaimed drama The Dark Horse, in which he co-starred opposite Cliff Curtis as a teenager who is set to be initiated into a gang, and action movie The Dead Lands, in which he plays a young Maori warrior seeking vengeance for the massacre of his family. Rolleston also starred in Pork Pie, the 2017 remake of the New Zealand classic Goodbye Pork Pie.

Rolleston has frequently appeared in Vodafone New Zealand television commercials.[7]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Notes
2010 Boy Alamein ("Boy")
2010 Frosty Man and the BMX Kid BMX Kid Short film
2014 Man Eli Short film
2014 The Dark Horse Mana
2014 The Dead Lands Hongi
2016 The Rehearsal[8] Stanley
2016 Amua Teina Short film
2017 Pork Pie Luke
2018 The Breaker Upperers Jordan
2022 Whina Gabriel
2023 Uproar Jamie Waaka

Personal life

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Rolleston is from Ōpōtiki.[9]

On 26 July 2016, Rolleston was charged with dangerous driving while driving with close friend Kaleb Maxwell, when the vehicle they were in crashed into a bridge in Ōpōtiki. Rolleston was seriously injured in the crash with injuries to his lower body and brain. In November, 2016, he made his first public appearance, presenting the Supreme Award at the Attitude Awards. He has spoken about his ongoing recovery, revealing he required rehabilitation to learn how to walk, speak, and use basic motor skills again.[10][11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Chess, martial arts and school work". Opotiki News. 22 July 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  2. ^ Schulz, Chris (28 September 2011). "Whatever happened to Boy?". The New Zealand Herald. APN New Zealand. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  3. ^ "New Film Starring Cliff Curtis and "Boy" Actor". Scoop Culture. Scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  4. ^ "James Rolleston".
  5. ^ Corry, Dominic (19 January 2014). "Dominic Corry: A glimpse into The Dead Lands". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  6. ^ Farrier, David (5 September 2014). "The Dead Lands premieres in Toronto". 3 News. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  7. ^ "'Boy' star James Rolleston returns in new TV spots for Vodafone's SuperNet via DraftFCB NZ". Campaign Brief. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Rolleston, Curry star in Eleanor Catton movie". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  9. ^ Jenkin, Lydia (17 July 2014). "The Dark Horse: This Boy's life". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  10. ^ "James Rolleston speaks about life after car crash". Stuff. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  11. ^ Tait, Morgan. "Young actor James Rolleston tells of crash that almost claimed his life". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
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