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Profile image for John Leigh

John Leigh

Actor

John Leigh won a legion of fans with his first television role, as nice guy cafe owner Lionel Skeggins on Shortland Street. After five years the character finally went missing in 1999 — presumed drowned — while fleeing dodgy wife Mackenzie Choat. Leigh won further fans as Sparky the pyromaniac in Outrageous Fortune. He has amassed dozens of screen credits, often playing well-meaning but offbeat characters. His screenography includes the bar-owner in Stickmen, an angry scriptwriter in soap satire Serial Killers, ongoing roles in 800 Words, The Almighty Johnsons and Mercy Peak, and a range of voiceover work.

The only thing about TV I think, is it can be a little ageist ... I don’t think you have to be old to watch old people, or young to watch young people, if it’s an interesting story... John Leigh, in his ScreenTalk interview for NZ On Screen

Thumbnail image for John Leigh: On Gandalf, pyromania and attending one's own funeral...
Interview

John Leigh: On Gandalf, pyromania and attending one's own funeral...

Interview, 2009

Thumbnail image for Far North

Far North

2023, As: Policeman, As: Policeman - Television

Thumbnail image for NZ On Air 30th Birthday -  Country Calendar

NZ On Air 30th Birthday - Country Calendar

2019, Subject - Web

Thumbnail image for NZ On Air 30th Birthday - Shortland Street

NZ On Air 30th Birthday - Shortland Street

2019, Subject - Web

Thumbnail image for Bloopers - Shortland Street

Bloopers - Shortland Street

2018, As: Lionel Skeggins - Television

Thumbnail image for Funny Girls - NZ Suffragette Special

Funny Girls - NZ Suffragette Special

2018, As: Various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for Dear Murderer - Full Series

Dear Murderer - Full Series

2017, As: David Morris (episode 5) - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Past Memories

Shortland Street - Past Memories

2017, Subject - Web

Thumbnail image for A Woman's Right to Shoes

A Woman's Right to Shoes

2017, As: Policeman - Short Film

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Pike River

2016, As: Doug White - Television

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Mahana

2016, Golden Shears commentator - Film

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The Cul de Sac

2017, As: Ken - Television

Thumbnail image for Auckward Love - Series Two

Auckward Love - Series Two

2016, As: Ted - Web

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Westside

2015, As: Dougal - Television

Thumbnail image for Auckward Love

Auckward Love

2015 - 2017, As: Ted - Web

Thumbnail image for 800 Words

800 Words

2015 - 2018, As: Constable Tom - Television

Thumbnail image for When We Go to War

When We Go to War

2015, As: Bertie Mueller - Television

Thumbnail image for 800 Words - First Episode

800 Words - First Episode

2015, As: Constable Tom - Television

Thumbnail image for When We Go to War - First Episode (excerpt)

When We Go to War - First Episode (excerpt)

2015, As: Bertie Mueller - Television

Thumbnail image for The Russians are Coming

The Russians are Coming

2011, As: Yegor Kiselyov - Television

Thumbnail image for Love Birds

Love Birds

2011, As: Quiz Master - Film

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Rage

2011, As: Bill Oram - Television

Thumbnail image for The Almighty Johnsons

The Almighty Johnsons

2011 - 2013, As: Bryn - Television

Thumbnail image for Spies and Lies

Spies and Lies

2010, As: Mr Barrett - Television

Thumbnail image for The Kiwi Who Saved Britain

The Kiwi Who Saved Britain

2010, As: Trafford Leigh-Mallory - Television

Thumbnail image for The Insatiable Moon

The Insatiable Moon

2010, As: Brian - Film

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 1 - From One Channel to One Hundred

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 1 - From One Channel to One Hundred

2010, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for Radiradirah

Radiradirah

2010, As: Various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 2 - The Whole World's Watching

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 2 - The Whole World's Watching

2010, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 3 - Let Us Entertain You

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 3 - Let Us Entertain You

2010, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 4 - Winners and Losers

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 4 - Winners and Losers

2010, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 5 - Telling Stories

2010, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for 50 Years of New Zealand Television: 6 - A Sense of Identity

50 Years of New Zealand Television: 6 - A Sense of Identity

2010, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for Radiradirah - First Episode

Radiradirah - First Episode

2010, As: Various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for Diplomatic Immunity - First Episode

Diplomatic Immunity - First Episode

2008, As: Mick Fa'auigaese - Television

Thumbnail image for The Amazing Extraordinary Friends

The Amazing Extraordinary Friends

2007 - 2010, As: Dave Reuben - Television

Thumbnail image for We're Here to Help

We're Here to Help

2007, As: Lesley Costello - Film

Thumbnail image for 10 Years Younger in 10 Days

10 Years Younger in 10 Days

2005 - 2008, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for 10 Years Younger in 10 Days - First Episode

10 Years Younger in 10 Days - First Episode

2005, Narrator - Television

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Taonga

2005, As: Andreas Reischek - Television

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Interrogation

2005, As: Sergeant Phil Worth - Television

Thumbnail image for Interrogation - First Episode

Interrogation - First Episode

2005, As: Sergeant Phil Worth - Television

Thumbnail image for Maddigan's Quest

Maddigan's Quest

2005, As: Harold - Television

Thumbnail image for Outrageous Fortune

Outrageous Fortune

2005 - 2010, As: Sparky - Television

Thumbnail image for Taonga: Til Death Do Us Part

Taonga: Til Death Do Us Part

2005, As: Andreas Reischek - Television

Thumbnail image for Serial Killers

Serial Killers

2004, As: Alan - Television

Thumbnail image for Explorers - Barrington

Explorers - Barrington

2004, Voice of Alpheus Barrington - Television

Thumbnail image for Secret Agent Men - Christmas (Episode)

Secret Agent Men - Christmas (Episode)

2004, As: Mad Aunt Bess - Television

Thumbnail image for Serial Killers - Full Series

Serial Killers - Full Series

2004, As: Alan - Television

Thumbnail image for Spooked

Spooked

2004, As: Jimmy Blick - Film

Thumbnail image for Secret Agent Men

Secret Agent Men

2003 - 2004, As: Mad Aunt Bess - Television

Thumbnail image for Spin Doctors - Series Four, Final Episode

Spin Doctors - Series Four, Final Episode

2003, As: Kevin - Television

Thumbnail image for Spin Doctors - Election Special

Spin Doctors - Election Special

2002, As: Kevin - Television

Thumbnail image for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

2002, As: Háma - Film

Thumbnail image for Mercy Peak - First Episode (excerpt)

Mercy Peak - First Episode (excerpt)

2001, As: Chook (the tow truck driver) - Television

Thumbnail image for Mercy Peak

Mercy Peak

2001 - 2003, As: Chook Bracey - Television

Thumbnail image for Spin Doctors

Spin Doctors

2001 - 2003, As: Kevin Handy - Television

Thumbnail image for Spin Doctors - First Episode

Spin Doctors - First Episode

2001, As: Kevin - Television

Thumbnail image for Stickmen

Stickmen

2001, As: Dave the Barman - Film

Thumbnail image for The Life and Times of Te Tutu - Series One

The Life and Times of Te Tutu - Series One

2000, As: Reverend Batty (episode 4) - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - The end of Lionel?

Shortland Street - The end of Lionel?

1999, As: Lionel Skeggins - Television

Thumbnail image for Home Movie

Home Movie

1997, As: Dave - Television

Thumbnail image for Chicken

Chicken

1996, As: Poisons Doctor - Film

Thumbnail image for The Frighteners

The Frighteners

1996, As: Bryce Campbell - Film

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - 1995 Christmas cliffhanger (truck crash)

Shortland Street - 1995 Christmas cliffhanger (truck crash)

1995, As: Lionel Skeggins - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Tuesday Warner's birth

Shortland Street - Tuesday Warner's birth

1995, As: Lionel Skeggins - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Kirsty and Lionel's wedding

Shortland Street - Kirsty and Lionel's wedding

1993 - 99, As: Lionel Skeggins - Television

Thumbnail image for Bradman

Bradman

1993, As: Lawrie - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Men of the Silver Fern - A Winning Reputation (1870 - 1924)

Men of the Silver Fern - A Winning Reputation (1870 - 1924)

1993, As: RI Seddon - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street

Shortland Street

1993 - 1999, As: Lionel Skeggins - Television

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Highlights from the first 15 years

Shortland Street - Highlights from the first 15 years

1992 - 2007, As: Lionel Skeggins - Television

Thumbnail image for Chunuk Bair

Chunuk Bair

1991, As: Porky - Film

Thumbnail image for The Making of Chunuk Bair

The Making of Chunuk Bair

1991, Subject - Television