Shimpal Lelisi
Encyclopedia
Shimpal Lelisi is a New Zealand
actor and TV presenter, best known as one of the members of the Naked Samoans
.
, Shimpal came to New Zealand at the age of four. He began acting at an early age, taking part in school productions. Theatre was the beginning of his professional career, and among his stage appearances was with the Naked Samoans in Naked Samoans Talk about Their Knives. Shimpal has since stayed with the group in later productions, the latest show in December 2006 entitled Naked Samoans Go Home (Again).
In 1999, Shimpal joined the core cast of the soap opera Shortland Street
, playing the role of Nurse Louie Iosefa. However, his most successful involvement with television has been bro'Town
. Shimpal is credited as both voice actor and writer for the animated series with the three other original Naked Samoans. In 2006, he co-starred in the comedy film Sione's Wedding
. Shimpal also works as a TV reporter for Tagata Pasifika
(which co-stars Robbie Magasiva
).
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...
actor and TV presenter, best known as one of the members of the Naked Samoans
Naked Samoans
The Naked Samoans is a famous New Zealand comedy group made up of Polynesian entertainers, most of whom are Samoan. The group is noted for performing social humour and satire that attracts a broad audience, especially among white New Zealanders, without sacrificing the group's Pacific Island identity...
.
Biography
Born in NiueNiue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
, Shimpal came to New Zealand at the age of four. He began acting at an early age, taking part in school productions. Theatre was the beginning of his professional career, and among his stage appearances was with the Naked Samoans in Naked Samoans Talk about Their Knives. Shimpal has since stayed with the group in later productions, the latest show in December 2006 entitled Naked Samoans Go Home (Again).
In 1999, Shimpal joined the core cast of the soap opera 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...
, playing the role of Nurse Louie Iosefa. However, his most successful involvement with television has been bro'Town
Bro'Town
bro'Town is a New Zealand Television animated series. The show used a comedy based format, targeted at a young adult audience.The series is set amongst New Zealand's fast growing Pacific Islander community, and focuses on a central cast of five young boys...
. Shimpal is credited as both voice actor and writer for the animated series with the three other original Naked Samoans. In 2006, he co-starred in the comedy film Sione's Wedding
Sione's Wedding
Sione's Wedding , is a 2006 comedic film directed by Chris Graham and written by James Griffin and Oscar Kightley, and produced by South Pacific Pictures.- Plot :...
. Shimpal also works as a TV reporter for Tagata Pasifika
Tagata Pasifika
Tagata Pasifika is an English language New Zealand programme which screens on TVNZ's TV ONE and on Māori Television. This programme is made to specifically meet the niche market of New Zealand's Pacific Islander population.-Content:...
(which co-stars Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor who has starred in several films and as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe. He has also appeared on television and theatre, and was the co-presenter of New Zealand's Tagata Pasifika with famed athlete Beatrice Faumuina. Magasiva is also known...
).
TV Work/Film
- Sione's WeddingSione's WeddingSione's Wedding , is a 2006 comedic film directed by Chris Graham and written by James Griffin and Oscar Kightley, and produced by South Pacific Pictures.- Plot :...
(2006) ...Sefa - Tagata PasifikaTagata PasifikaTagata Pasifika is an English language New Zealand programme which screens on TVNZ's TV ONE and on Māori Television. This programme is made to specifically meet the niche market of New Zealand's Pacific Islander population.-Content:...
News Talk Show (2006–present) - bro'TownBro'Townbro'Town is a New Zealand Television animated series. The show used a comedy based format, targeted at a young adult audience.The series is set amongst New Zealand's fast growing Pacific Islander community, and focuses on a central cast of five young boys...
TV Series (2004–present) ...Valea Pepelo (voice) - Shortland StreetShortland StreetShortland 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...
(1999–2000) ...Nurse Louie Iosefa
External links
- Profile and Biography of Shimpal on NZ On ScreenNZ On ScreenNZ On Screen is an online showcase of archival New Zealand television and film. The website is fully funded by NZ On Air and provides free worldwide access to NZ-produced television, film and music videos. Content is streamed and the webpages provide authoritative background information.The site...