Claire Chitham
Encyclopedia
Claire Margaret Chitham (born 12 July 1978 in Auckland
) is a New Zealand
television actress. She is best known for having played Waverley Harrison
(née Wilson) in the New Zealand TV show Shortland Street
, from 1994–5 and 1997–2005 and Aurora Bay in Outrageous Fortune
from 2006-2007.
She was already acting by the age of nine, when she appeared in a stage adaptation of Pinocchio
, playing the title character, at the Dolphin Theatre in Auckland.
Her first television role was a guest appearance in The New Adventures of Black Beauty (1990)
.
Chitham initially had a recurring guest role in Shortland Street
before signing on as part of the main cast for an eight year run. She was then joined by Antony Starr
who played Waverleys brother Stratford Wilson, who later played her love interest Van West in the TV series Outrageous Fortune
.
In 1998, Chitham appeared in a science fiction
short, Venus Blue.
She appeared in the second season, part of the third season, and in the telemovie Christmas special of Outrageous Fortune
, playing Aurora Bay, before her character died from being hit by a bus while trying to hide her ex boyfriends' stash of drugs.
In early 2006, Chitham married New Zealand musician, TV personality and radio DJ Mikey 'Havoc' Roberts
. It was reported in early 2009 that they had separated. Chitham remained in their West Auckland marital home following the split.
On 22 August 2007, she began appearing in a brief role on the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, as Chantelle Rebecchi.
In 2008 Chitham appeared in Episode 1 of the Australian television series Canal Road
. Her character, Kristen, plays the wife of core cast member Dt Snr Cnst Ray Driscoll (played by Grant Bowler
, who also played Wolf, her father in-law-to-be in Outrageous Fortune).
In 2009 Chitham guest starred in the TV series Legend of the seeker
in Season One Episode 18 titled 'Mirror'. The episode also featured Actor Debbie Newby who played Treena in Outrageous Fortune
Claire featured in Muller Youghurt advertisements screened in New Zealand
and other countries such as the UK. As of March 2011 she is appearing in a range of Australian TV commercials for the Credit Union and Building Society group.
Chitham guest starred in a skit in the New Zealand comedy series The Jaquie Brown Diaries
as herself with Shortland Street
co-star Scott Cotter. In the skit she was tied up with the robber (Cotter) stating that he did not know she was a celebrity because he did not recognise her. He also stated he had never watched Shortland Street
.
Aside from Acting, Claire can also sing and dance and has a natural talent for dramatic and comedic roles.
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
) is a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
television actress. She is best known for having played Waverley Harrison
Waverley Harrison
Waverley Harrison was a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. She was portrayed by Claire Chitham and was introduced as a love interest for Nick Harrison who she eventually married 8 years after her arrival to the show.-1994-1995:Rachel was annoyed when her wacky...
(née Wilson) in the New Zealand TV show Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
, from 1994–5 and 1997–2005 and Aurora Bay in Outrageous Fortune
Outrageous Fortune (TV series)
Outrageous Fortune was a New Zealand comedy/drama television series, which was created by James Griffin and Rachel Lang and was produced by South Pacific Pictures...
from 2006-2007.
She was already acting by the age of nine, when she appeared in a stage adaptation of Pinocchio
Pinocchio
The Adventures of Pinocchio is a novel for children by Italian author Carlo Collodi, written in Florence. The first half was originally a serial between 1881 and 1883, and then later completed as a book for children in February 1883. It is about the mischievous adventures of Pinocchio , an...
, playing the title character, at the Dolphin Theatre in Auckland.
Her first television role was a guest appearance in The New Adventures of Black Beauty (1990)
The New Adventures of Black Beauty (1990)
The New Adventures of Black Beauty was a television drama series made in 1990-91 by Isambard Productions Ltd in association with London Weekend Television and The Fremantle Corporation...
.
Chitham initially had a recurring guest role in Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
before signing on as part of the main cast for an eight year run. She was then joined by Antony Starr
Antony Starr
Antony Starr is a New Zealand television actor best known for his dual role as twins Jethro and Van West in New Zealand's hit comedy/drama Outrageous Fortune.-Career:...
who played Waverleys brother Stratford Wilson, who later played her love interest Van West in the TV series Outrageous Fortune
Outrageous Fortune
Outrageous Fortune is a 1987 film written by Leslie Dixon, directed by Arthur Hiller, and stars Shelley Long and Bette Midler. The title is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet Outrageous Fortune is a 1987 film written by Leslie Dixon, directed by Arthur Hiller, and stars Shelley Long and Bette Midler....
.
In 1998, Chitham appeared in a science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short, Venus Blue.
She appeared in the second season, part of the third season, and in the telemovie Christmas special of Outrageous Fortune
Outrageous Fortune (TV series)
Outrageous Fortune was a New Zealand comedy/drama television series, which was created by James Griffin and Rachel Lang and was produced by South Pacific Pictures...
, playing Aurora Bay, before her character died from being hit by a bus while trying to hide her ex boyfriends' stash of drugs.
In early 2006, Chitham married New Zealand musician, TV personality and radio DJ Mikey 'Havoc' Roberts
Mikey Havoc
Mikey Havoc , also known colloquially as Havo is a New Zealand media personality.-Music:Roberts was the lead singer of the New Zealand glam metal group Push Push, best known for its 1991 number one singles "What My Baby Likes" and "Trippin'". He is now a house music DJ...
. It was reported in early 2009 that they had separated. Chitham remained in their West Auckland marital home following the split.
On 22 August 2007, she began appearing in a brief role on the Australian soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, as Chantelle Rebecchi.
In 2008 Chitham appeared in Episode 1 of the Australian television series Canal Road
Canal Road (TV series)
Canal Road is an Australian television drama series on the Nine Network. The series was produced in-house, under producer Susan Bower, in collaboration with writers Sarah Smith, John Ridley and Dave Warner, and directed by Kevin Carlin. It was filmed at Channel Nine’s GTV Studio 11 and on location...
. Her character, Kristen, plays the wife of core cast member Dt Snr Cnst Ray Driscoll (played by Grant Bowler
Grant Bowler
Grant Bowler is a New Zealand actor who has worked in American, Australian and New Zealand films and television.He is known for playing the role of Constable Wayne Patterson in Blue Heelers and also appeared as Wilhelmina Slater's love interest Connor Owens in Ugly Betty.In November 2010, he was...
, who also played Wolf, her father in-law-to-be in Outrageous Fortune).
In 2009 Chitham guest starred in the TV series Legend of the seeker
Legend of the Seeker
Legend of the Seeker is a television series based on The Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind. Distributed in U.S. by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, ABC Studios produced the series, which was its first foray into broadcast syndication, with Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Joshua Donen, Ned Nalle and...
in Season One Episode 18 titled 'Mirror'. The episode also featured Actor Debbie Newby who played Treena in Outrageous Fortune
Outrageous Fortune (TV series)
Outrageous Fortune was a New Zealand comedy/drama television series, which was created by James Griffin and Rachel Lang and was produced by South Pacific Pictures...
Claire featured in Muller Youghurt advertisements screened in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and other countries such as the UK. As of March 2011 she is appearing in a range of Australian TV commercials for the Credit Union and Building Society group.
Chitham guest starred in a skit in the New Zealand comedy series The Jaquie Brown Diaries
The Jaquie Brown Diaries
The Jaquie Brown Diaries is a satirical New Zealand sitcom in which real-life television personality Jaquie Brown plays a fictionalised, over-ambitious, status-obsessed version of herself. The series was created by Gerard Johnstone, Jaquie Brown and Hayley Cunningham and premiered 25 July 2008 on...
as herself with Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
co-star Scott Cotter. In the skit she was tied up with the robber (Cotter) stating that he did not know she was a celebrity because he did not recognise her. He also stated he had never watched Shortland Street
Shortland Street
Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
.
Aside from Acting, Claire can also sing and dance and has a natural talent for dramatic and comedic roles.