After making a career in marketing at record company RCA, English-born John Sumner switched back to his original love of performing in 1992. Since then he’s appeared in Shortland Street and had a memorable role in political satire Spin Doctors as Giles Peterson — "the buffoon", as Sumner calls him — the boss of a PR agency. He played the producer of a current affairs show on TV's Cover Story, and on the big screen was cameraman Herb in Peter Jackson’s remake of King Kong. Sumner has also lent his voice talents to numerous shows and documentaries, including Going Going Gone, Treasure Island and Piha Rescue.
In terms of the character of Giles, it was simply a guy who had gone in early, made a hell of a lot of money, decided he was gonna be a winemaker, it sucks, he creates vinegar, and it was just a wonderful character to be able to play ... "a buffoon", who's well-meaning but very conscious of himself. John Sumner on his role in Spin Doctors, in an interview for The Beat Goes On, 25 March 2013
2021, As: Lester Burton - Television
2017, As: JP (episode 5) - Television
2016, As: Harbour Master - Television
2016, As: Neville Rockhouse - Television
2012, As: Mr Taylor - Television
2008 - 2009, As: Kevin Blackwell - Television
2006, As: Howard Anderson - Film
2005, As: Herb the cameraman - Film
2004, Narrator - Television
2003, As: Giles O'Connor - Television
2002, As: Giles Peterson - Television
2002, Narrator - Television
2001 - 2003, As: Giles Peterson - Television
2001, As: Giles - Television
2000, Narrator - Television
2000 - 2006, Narrator - Television
2000, Narrator - Television
1999, Narrator - Television
1999, Narrator - Television
1999, Narrator - Television
1999, Narrator - Television
1998, Narrator - Television
1998, Narrator - Television
1997 - 2007, 2019 - ongoing, Narrator - Television
1995, As: Bernard Fry - Television
1995 - 1996, As: Bernard Fry - Television
1995, As: Bernard Fry - Television
1992, 2002, Stan Clemo, Morrie Brownlee - Television
1992, As: Donald (the husband) - Short Film
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