Shimpal Lelisi (born c. 1973)[1] is a New Zealand actor and TV presenter, best known as one of the members of the Naked Samoans.

Shimpal Lelisi
Born
OccupationActor/TV Presenter

Biography

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Born in Niue, Shimpal came to New Zealand at the age of four.[2] He began acting at an early age, taking part in school productions.[3] Theatre was the beginning of his professional career, and among his stage appearances was with the Naked Samoans in Naked Samoans Talk about Their Knives. Shimpal has since stayed with the group in later productions. The latest of the show was in December 2006 entitled Naked Samoans Go Home (Again).[4]

In 1999, Shimpal joined the core cast of the soap opera Shortland Street, playing the role of Nurse Louie Iosefa.[5] However, his most successful involvement with television has been bro'Town. Shimpal is credited as both voice actor and writer for the animated series with the three other original Naked Samoans. In 2006, he co-starred in the comedy film Sione's Wedding.[2] Shimpal also works as a TV reporter for Tagata Pasifika (which co-stars Robbie Magasiva).[2]

In 2014 he was fined $900 and banned from driving for six months for drunk-driving.[1]

Lelisi is a castaway on the 2022 series of the New Zealand reality television show Celebrity Treasure Island.[6]

Filmography

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Film

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Film Year Role
Sione's 2: Unfinished Business 2012 Sefa
Sione's Wedding 2006 Sefa

Television

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Series Year Role
Radiradirah 2010 Tony/Andy the Android
Tagata Pasifika 2006–present Presenter
bro'Town 2004–2009 Valea Pepelo (voice)
Shortland Street 1999–2000 Nurse Louie Iosefa

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Sione's Wedding actor banned from driving after drunken spin". New Zealand Herald. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Shimpal Lelisi". NZ OnScreen. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Shimpal Lelisi". Stuff. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Naked Samoans back home on stage". New Zealand Herald. 30 November 2006 – via EBSCOHost.
  5. ^ "Shimpal Lelisi - Performing comes naturally especially being creative in Sunday school". Pacific Media Network. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  6. ^ Rohan, Lillie (6 September 2022). "Celebrity Treasure Island ep two: Dame Susan Devoy's secret feud revealed". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
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