Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1968-03-20
- Born Place: Baston Point, Auckland, New Zealand
Lawrence Makoare
Lawrence Makoare is a highly recognizable New Zealand Māori actor, born on March 20, 1968, in Bastion Point, Auckland. He stumbled into acting serendipitously after accompanying a girlfriend to a drama class, where his imposing height and presence caught the attention of the teacher, Don Selwyn. Makoare, who previously worked in road maintenance, quickly transitioned into performing as a stuntman before embarking on his notable acting career.He gained international recognition for his multiple, impactful roles in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. In The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), he portrayed Lurtz, the fearsome Uruk-hai leader who famously kills Boromir. In The Return of the King (2003), he took on two distinct and formidable antagonists: the terrifying Witch-king of Angmar, leader of the Nazgûl, and Gothmog, the Orc commander at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. His ability to portray diverse and often prosthetically-heavy characters without his face being seen is a testament to his physical acting and presence. He continued his work in Middle-earth by portraying Bolg, an Orc commander and son of Azog, in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013).Beyond his iconic roles in Middle-earth, Makoare has a broad film and television career. He appeared as Mr. Kil in the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002) and had recurring roles in popular fantasy television series like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. His other film credits include Crooked Earth (2001), The Ferryman (2007), The Dead Lands (2014), where he played the lead "Warrior," and more recently The Convert (2023). Makoare is also a talented carver and has engaged in stage work throughout his career.
