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JohnnyBarker

  • Actor
  • Director
  • Musician
Johnny-Barker-profile-image.jpg

Johnny Barker began acting in musicals at high school. Since then his career has mixed music with screen work. After playing a small-town cop in TV's Mercy Peak, he co-starred in 2003 horror film The Locals. Later Barker rejoined Shortland Street, winning infamy (and a Qantas acting nomination) after being revealed as the Ferndale Strangler. He co-created and acted in 2014's music-themed series Coverband, and composed for Nia's Extra Ordinary Life. Barker is also a director; his work includes many sketches for Funny Girls and Jono and Ben — plus commercials and a run of successful entries in the 48Hours short film contest. 

Screenography

Bird's Eye View
2022 Composer Series
Helicopters and Car Race - BMW
2021 Director Commercial
Sola Rosa - Chasing the Sun
2020 Director, Editor Short film
Los Skankos Hermanos
2019 Director Music video
Funny Girls - NZ Suffragette Special
2018 Composer - Title Music Television

Awards

2014 Rialto Channel 48Hours (New Zealand short film competition)
Grand National Champion: Pants on Fire
Best Original Song

2012 V 48Hours
National Runner-Up: The Girl with the Clover Tattoo

“It will follow me around for the rest of my life, and I'm happy with that ... Normally I'm quite lazy and have a big beard and no one bats an eyelid, and as soon as I shave for a project or whatever, when I go to the supermarket, people always spot me. It's crazy. People have amazing memories. ”

— Johnny Barker on playing the Ferndale Strangler on Shortland Street, The NZ Herald, 27 May 2013