Pua Magasiva

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Pua Magasiva
Pua Magasiva.jpg
Born(1980-08-10)10 August 1980
Apia, Samoa
Died11 May 2019(2019-05-11) (aged 38)
Wellington, New Zealand
EducationSt Patrick's College [1] [2]
Occupation(s) Actor, Radio Presenter
Years active1999–2019
Spouse(s)Kourtney Ngaamo (2012–2015)
Elizabeth Sadler (2018–2019)
Children2
Relatives Robbie Magasiva (brother)

Pua Magasiva (10 August 1980 [3] – 11 May 2019) was a New Zealand actor of Samoan descent, best known for his roles as Shane Clarke, the Red Ranger from Power Rangers Ninja Storm , and Vinnie Kruse in the soap opera Shortland Street , both co-starring with Sally Martin. He was also one of the co-hosts of radio station Flava.

Contents

Biography

Magasiva was born in Apia, Samoa, but raised in Wellington, New Zealand, since he was two years old. [3] He was the younger brother of actor Robbie Magasiva. It was Robbie who inspired Magasiva to become an actor, after being signed up with an acting agency and acquiring small roles. [3] In 1999, he made a minor appearance on Shortland Street as Elvis Iosefa, a relative of Louie Iosefa (played by Shimpal Lelisi). Then in 2001, he landed a role in a six-part Māori language television series called Aroha. The series went on to screen at the International Film Festival in Auckland, receiving critical praise.

Finally in 2003, Magasiva made the leading roles in both Power Rangers: Ninja Storm (which included a guest appearance by Robbie in one episode) and Shortland Street. [4] [3] He stayed on Shortland Street until 2006. [4] By then, he played the title character in the comedy film Sione's Wedding , [4] which starred his brother Robbie and other members of the Naked Samoans. In 2007, he appeared in the horror film 30 Days of Night .

In 2009, Magasiva made guest appearances in Diplomatic Immunity and Outrageous Fortune . [4] In 2011, he returned as Vinnie Kruse on Shortland Street. [4]

Outside his work on television and film, Magasiva acted in theatre, including Two Days in Dream in 2003 (written by Mario Gaoa, member of the Naked Samoans, and directed by Colin Mitchell). Another play that he acted in was Sex with Strangers, which was written by Mitchell, though Two Days in Dream was well received by critics. In 2008, he co-starred with brother Robbie in the play Where We Once Belonged. Magasiva also appeared in nine Lift Plus commercials in New Zealand and also took over his brother's role as the Small Blacks TV News presenter opposite Conrad Snakey Smith. In January 2017, he helped pull a man from his burning car. [5]

He was a co-presenter on the Flava morning radio show from 2015 to 2018. He resigned from the station after a third drink-driving charge. [6] He left Shortland Street that same year.

Domestic assault and suicide

On 18 December 2019, a name suppression order was lifted, revealing that Pua Magasiva had been convicted of domestic assault against his wife in April, 15 days before his death. Pua was sentenced to 70 hours of community work, and six months of supervision. [7] [8] According to his widow, during a tell-all photoshoot after his death, he had engaged in a regular pattern of abuse, concussed her three times, and threatened to harm her, himself, or their daughter, if she went to the police. She claimed to have later found a diary belonging to him showing "pages... full of haunting images, tortured thoughts and self-loathing" and admitting that he had always been violent and angry. On 11 May 2019, Pua Magasiva died of a suspected suicide in a hotel room in Wellington. His widow stated that he attacked her in a drunken rage the night he died. [9]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001 The Other Side of Heaven Finau
Aidiko InsanePhoebus
2004Haka & SivaSivaShort film
2006 Sione's Wedding Sione
UsoRanatongaShort film
2007 30 Days of Night Malekai Hamm
2010 Matariki Sergeant Wolfgram
2011Panic at Rock IslandTK
2012 Sione's 2: Unfinished Business SioneFinal film role

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1999; 2003–2006; 2011–2018 Shortland Street Elvis Iosefa (1999)
Nurse Vinnie Kruse (2003–2006, 2011–2018)		308 episodes
2002 Revelations - The Initial Journey Greg DaviesEpisode: "Unfinished Business"
2003 Power Rangers Ninja Storm Shane Clarke / Red Wind Ranger38 episodes
2004 Power Rangers Dino Thunder 2 episodes
What Now? Himself"Episode #23.2"
2009 Diplomatic Immunity The NiuEpisode: "Boris the Spider"
Outrageous Fortune Issac5 episodes
2011 East West 101 Ned RewitiEpisode: "Ned Rewiti"
2013–2019Small Blacks TVHimself
2014Flat3WinstonEpisode: "The Game"

Related Research Articles

Sally Erana Martin is an actress from New Zealand. She has appeared in a range of television series, including The Strip, Shortland Street and in Power Rangers Ninja Storm as Tori Hanson, the latter two co-starring with Pua Magasiva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Magasiva</span> Samoan-New Zealander actor (born 1972)

Robbie Joseph Magasiva is a Samoan-New Zealander actor who has starred in several films and as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe. He has also appeared on television and in theatre, and was the co-presenter of New Zealand's Tagata Pasifika with famed athlete, Beatrice Faumuina. Magasiva is also known for his role on Shortland Street as Dr. Maxwell Avia, which he played from June 2009 to July 2012, and for his role as Will Jackson on the prison drama series, Wentworth. Magasiva is the only male actor to appear in all 8 seasons; he appeared in all 100 episodes of the show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maia Jeffries</span> Soap opera character

Maia Anne Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Anna Jullienne from mid-2004 to early-2011, with the character starring in numerous high-profile storylines alongside her on screen family. The character returned as part of the show's 20th anniversary in May 2012.

Shimpal Lelisi is a New Zealand actor and TV presenter, best known as one of the members of the Naked Samoans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooke Freeman</span> Soap opera character

Brooke Freeman is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Beth Allen. Brooke debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 14 July 2008. The role was written with Allen in mind to play her. Brooke arrived as a locum GP but later advanced in her career. She is played as a manipulative female, who uses her sexuality to advance in her career. She is also characterised by her complex backstory which has resulted in her "messed up" persona. As a stylish female, Allen is required to spend longer in the dressing room with make-up artists. Brooke's style has been attributed to Katharine Hepburn, though she wears dark colours to convey her personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Rodger</span> New Zealand playwright

Victor John Rodger is a New Zealand journalist, actor and award-winning playwright of Samoan and Pākehā heritage. Rodger's play Sons won acclaim at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards (1998) and received the Best New Writer and Most Outstanding New New Zealand Play awards. In 2001, he won the Bruce Mason Playwriting Award. Other plays include Ranterstantrum (2002) and My Name is Gary Cooper (2007), produced and staged by Auckland Theatre Company and starred a Samoan cast including Robbie Magasiva, Anapela Polataivao, Goretti Chadwick and Kiwi actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendy Cooper</span> Soap opera character

Wendy Cooper is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and has been portrayed by Jacqueline Nairn since her debut in mid-2010. The character arrived as the matriarch of the new family unit, the Coopers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leanne Black</span> Soap opera character

Leanne Black is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by Jennifer Ludlam. Leanne debuted as the mother of established character Nicole Miller in a guest role in 2010, before reprising the role in more central positions in both 2011 and 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinnie Kruse</span> Soap opera character

Vainu'u "Vinnie" Kruse-Miller is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Pua Magasiva. Vinnie first arrived on 25 November 2003, leaving the show on 23 February 2006. He made a return to the soap after a five-year gap on 16 August 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bree Hamilton</span> Fictional character

Dr. Bree Hamilton is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, portrayed by Rachael Blampied from December 2011 to September 2012. Blampied reprised the role in late 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tama Hudson</span> Soap opera character

Tama Hudson is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street who was portrayed by David Wikaira-Paul from 2001 to 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tania Jeffries</span> Soap opera character

Tania Jeffries is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Faye Smythe from 2005 to 2010, with the character starring in numerous high-profile storylines alongside her on screen family. The character returned in May 2012 as part of the show's 20th anniversary.

Frank Warner (<i>Shortland Street</i>) Soap opera character

Frank Warner is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. Born on-screen, Frank was originally played by an uncredited baby actor in 1993 before Luke Patrick took over the role in 2016.

References

  1. ↑ "Pua Magasiva honoured with jersey, black armbands by St Pat's College First XV". Stuff. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  2. ↑ Long, Jessica (15 May 2019). "Wellington high school farewells former First XV player Pua Magasiva during rugby match". Stuff . Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Owen, Catrin. "Pua Magasiva's life in the spotlight and the 'demons' behind it". Stuff . Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Fonseka, Dileepa; Earley, Melanie (12 May 2019). "Pua Magasiva's family acknowledges 'outpouring of love' for former Shortland Street Star". Stuff . Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  5. ↑ Cowlishaw, Shane (10 January 2017). "Shortland Street star real-life hero". The Press. p. A5. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Troubled former Shortland Street star Pua Magasiva leaves Flava". Newshub. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  7. ↑ Meng-Yee, Carolyne (21 December 2019). "Pua Magasiva's death: Widow Lizz reveals domestic violence culminating on night he died". NZ Herald . Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  8. ↑ Moger, Laine; Owen, Catrin (18 December 2019). "Late actor Pua Magasiva attacked wife and coerced her into helping keep his name secret". Stuff .
  9. ↑ Hurley, Sam (17 December 2019). "Pua Magasiva's dark final days: Actor's assault on wife Lizz now revealed after suppression lifted". NZ Herald.
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