Profile image for Ken Blackburn

Ken Blackburn

Actor

Ken Blackburn, MNZM, is a familiar face on New Zealand stage and screen. In a career spanning 50+ years he's appeared in iconic television shows (Gliding On, Shortland Street) and films — including a lead role in 1978 feature Skin Deep. Blackburn was awarded a New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005; in 2017 he received the a Lifetime Achievement award, acknowledging long-serving local actors.

I think the boss actually personified every headmaster I’d ever operated under, who was sitting on a superannuation job and didn’t want anything disturbed. Ken Blackburn on his character in comedy Gliding On, in Blackburn's ScreenTalk interview, March 2012

Thumbnail image for Ken Blackburn: Always the bad guy...
Interview

Ken Blackburn: Always the bad guy...

Interview, 2012

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Hillary

2016, As: Sir Malcolm - Television

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The Brokenwood Mysteries

2015 - 2017, As: Edward Alderston - Television

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The Forgotten General

2013, As: Sir James Allen - Television

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What Really Happened - Votes for Women

2012, As: Speaker - Television

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Strongman - The Tragedy

2012, As: DJ Tucker - Television

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Rest for the Wicked

2011, As: Mr Hayes - Film

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Day Trip

2010, As: Barman - Short Film

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Duggan: Sins of the Fathers

1998, As: Sensei - Television

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The Frighteners

1996, As: Dr Kammins - Film

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Dead Certs

1995, As: Wayne (TAB Manager) - Television

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Shortland Street

1992, 1995, As: Sir Bruce Warner - Television

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Absent Without Leave

1992, As: C.O. - Film

Thumbnail image for Shark in the Park - Prospects (Series Two, Episode One)

Shark in the Park - Prospects (Series Two, Episode One)

1990, As: Visiting Superintendent - Television

Thumbnail image for Bert and Maisy - Christmas (She's Funny at the Moment, They Both Are)

Bert and Maisy - Christmas (She's Funny at the Moment, They Both Are)

1989, As: Tommy - Television

Thumbnail image for E Tipu E Rea - Eel

E Tipu E Rea - Eel

1989, As: Mr Hodsworth - Television

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Shark in the Park

1990 -1991, As: Superintendent - Television

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The Grasscutter

1988, As: Superintendent Lerwick - Television

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Steel Riders - Bloodstones (First Episode)

1987, As: Inspector Hawley - Television

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Ngāti

1987, As: Auctioneer - Film

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Steel Riders

1987, As: Inspector Hawley - Television

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Hanlon - In Defence of Minnie Dean

1985, As: JFM Fraser - Television

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Heart of the High Country

1985, As: Judge - Television

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Gliding On - The Work Experience Scheme (Series Five, Episode Two)

1985, As: Boss - Television

Thumbnail image for Gliding On - Mastermind (Series Four, Episode Five)

Gliding On - Mastermind (Series Four, Episode Five)

1984, As: Boss - Television

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Bad Blood

1982, As: Tommo Robson - Film

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Casualties of Peace

1982, As: Tripod - Television

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Gliding On

1981-1985, As: The Boss - Television

Thumbnail image for Gliding On - No Smoke Without Fire (First Episode)

Gliding On - No Smoke Without Fire (First Episode)

1981, As: Boss - Television

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Kaleidoscope - Geoff Murphy and Andrew Brown

1981, Subject - Television

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Pictures

1981, As: James Gilchrist - Film

Thumbnail image for Mortimer's Patch - Day of Judgement (First Episode)

Mortimer's Patch - Day of Judgement (First Episode)

1980, As: Detective Inspector Chris Knight - Television

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Sea Urchins

1980 - 1984, As: Hank - Television

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Lynn of Tawa - Special

1980, As: Warren, Policeman - Television

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Mortimer's Patch

1980 - 1984, As: Detective Inspector Chris Knight - Television

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The Deep End - The Captain's Play

1980, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for The Mackenzie Affair - Tancred (Final Episode)

The Mackenzie Affair - Tancred (Final Episode)

1977, As: Tancred - Television

Thumbnail image for The Mackenzie Affair

The Mackenzie Affair

1977, As: Tancred - Television

Thumbnail image for The Governor 2 - No Way to Treat A Lady (Episode Two)

The Governor 2 - No Way to Treat A Lady (Episode Two)

1977, As: Admiral Henry Keppel - Television

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Hunter's Gold

1976, As: Baddock - Television

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Hunter's Gold - First Episode

1976, As: Baddock - Television

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Moynihan

1976 - 1977, As: Brian Crosby - Television

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Close to Home

1975 - 1983, As: Clive Foster - Television

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479

1974, As: Jim Kershaw - Television

Thumbnail image for An Awful Silence

An Awful Silence

1972, As: Mr Redwood - Television

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Landscape

1968 - 1969, Narrator - Television

Thumbnail image for NZBC Actors' Workshops

NZBC Actors' Workshops

1967, Subject - Television