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KJApa

  • Actor
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Samoan-Kiwi KJ Apa made his screen debut on Shortland Street, playing high schooler Kane Jenkins. The character was created to explore New Zealand's high rates of youth suicide. After a season on local sci-fi drama The Cul de Sac, Apa got his American break, playing a teen quarterback in Lasse Hallstrom family movie A Dog's Purpose. In the same period, he scored a lead role as conflicted American teen Archie across seven seasons of Riverdale  — a darker take on the classic Archie comics. After starring as christian singer Jeremy Camp in 2020 movie I Still Believe, he got busy on a slate of projects for 2024/25.

Screenography

The Map That Leads to You
2025 As: Jack Film
Falling
2025 Executive Producer, As: Jack Film
One Fast Move
2024 As: Wes Neal, Executive Producer Film
Dead Reckoning
2020 As: Niko Film
Songbird
2020 As: Nico Film

“It’s crazy to be constantly seeing these characters that we’re familiar with in the comics. Every day you’re working with these kind of iconic characters and watching them being played in real life is pretty surreal...”

KJ Apa on acting in TV series Riverdale, Seventeen, 1 August 2018