John Tui

Biography

John Tui is a New Zealand actor of Tongan descent, widely recognized for his versatile performances across various television shows and major Hollywood films. Born on June 11, 1975, in Auckland, New Zealand, Tui has built a diverse career, transitioning from popular children's action series to impactful roles in large-scale productions.

Early Life and Career Beginnings: Tui grew up in Manurewa, Auckland. He trained in performing arts, graduating from Unitec's School of Performing and Screen Arts. His early career saw him gain significant recognition in the "Power Rangers" franchise. He is notably the only actor in the series to portray two different characters who both became Rangers: Commander Anubis "Doggie" Cruger, the SPD Shadow Ranger, in Power Rangers S.P.D. (2005), and Daggeron, the Solaris Knight, in Power Rangers Mystic Force (2006).

Career Highlights:

John Tui's career has seen him expand his acting repertoire from New Zealand television to international cinema.

Television: Beyond his "Power Rangers" roles, Tui has appeared in various New Zealand television series, including Mataku (2005), Outrageous Fortune (2006), Go Girls (2009-2012), and Shortland Street (2010, 2013). More recently, he has gained recognition for his recurring role as Afa Anoaʻi in the American comedy series Young Rock (2021-2023), which is based on the life of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. He also appeared in the 2024 TV series Plum.

Film: Tui has made a notable impact in Hollywood blockbusters and New Zealand films alike:

• Battleship (2012): He played Chief Petty Officer Walter "Beast" Lynch in this action film.
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014): He portrayed Bolg in Peter Jackson's epic fantasy film.
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• Sione's Wedding (2006): A prominent role in this New Zealand comedy film.
• Born to Dance (2015): A role in this dance drama.
• Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): He appeared as Korso.
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• Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019): He reunited with Dwayne Johnson, playing Kal Hobbs.
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• Savage (2019): A lead role as Moses in this critically acclaimed New Zealand film.
• The Legend of Baron To'a (2020): Another lead role as Baron To'a in this action comedy.
• Moana (2026): He has been cast as Chief Tui in Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of Moana.

John Tui's career demonstrates his ability to tackle a wide range of genres and characters, making him a recognizable and respected actor in both his native New Zealand and on the international stage.