International Filmmaker; Taika Waititi, who has quickly risen to the status of one of New Zealand’s most well-known celebrities, is taking the AIB celebrity spotlight for today.
Taika Waititi, also known as Taika Cohen, is a native of the Raukokore district on the North Island of New Zealand. He is the son of Taika Waititi, an artist and farmer, and Robin (Cohen), a teacher. His mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish, Irish, Scottish, and English ancestry; his father is Maori (Te-Whanau-a-Apanui). Taika has worked in the film industry for several years, first as an actor and more recently as a writer and director.
Taika’s first professional filmmaking project was titled Two Cars, One Night, and since its completion in 2003, he has completed another short called “Tama Tu” about a group of Maori Soldiers who served in Italy during World War 2.
Taika has worked as a comedian and performer on some of New Zealand’s most creative and popular original projects. He does stand-up comedy engagements frequently across the nation and debuted “Taika’s Incredible Show,” his solo production, in 2004. He performed the “Taika’s Incrediblerer Show” sequel in 2005. Taika has received praise from critics for his acting prowess in both comedic and dramatic roles.
His performance in the Sarkies Brothers’ movie “Scarfies” earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the 2000 Nokia Film Awards.
Taika became a blockbuster director with his film Thor: Ragnarok (2017), and received critical acclaim, and a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, for his film Jojo Rabbit (2019).
He also directed blockbusters like Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople in addition to blockbusters like Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder. Boy, Green Lantern, Free Guy, and other films. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in Two Cars, One Night.
Taika is also a skilled painter, photographer, and fashion designer who has shown his work in Wellington and Berlin.