Ken Blackburn

Kenneth Colster Blackburn (born 1935) is a New Zealand actor, director and writer. He has worked in film, television, radio and theatre in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom since 1963.

Early life Blackburn was born in April 1935, at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in England and was raised alongside his older brother John. He attended Clifton College from 1948 to 1952. After the Second World War ended, his family emigrated to New Zealand, where he completed his education at Wellington High School. In the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the performing arts.

In 2022, Blackburn featured in television commercials for Amazon and Kiwi Lager.

Filmography Source:

As director / producer Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1964 Amahl and the Night Visitors Producer St Peter's Church on Willis, Wellington 1969 The Land of Smiles Producer Opera Centre with Opera Technique 1972 Flint Director Downstage Theatre, Wellington When Did You Last See My Mother Director Star Boating Club Silly Buggers Director Circa Theatre, Wellington

Publication Year Title Publisher Ref.

Year Work Award Category Result 1974 Ken Blackburn Polish Ministry of Culture Amicus Poloniae 1999 Waiting for Godot Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards Best Actor 2005 Ken Blackburn Queen's Birthday Honours MNZM for Services to the Performing Arts 2011 Antonio's Secret Las Vegas Short Film Festival Awards Best Actor 2014 The Caretaker Dunedin Arts Festival Best Actor Life is for Living Oklahoma Film Festival Awards Best Short Film 2015 Byron Bay Film Festival Best International Short Film Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film IFFEHC – Jakarta International Award of Outstanding Excellence World Film Awards – Jakarta Golden World Award Kiwi International Film Festival Best Kiwi Short Film 2017 Ken Blackburn NZ Actors Equity / MEAA Equity Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 Ken Blackburn 48 Hour Film Challenge Best Actor Award