Jemaine Clement | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Clement in 2024 | |
| Born | Jemaine Atea Mahana Clement (1974-01-10)10 January 1974 (age 51) |
| Other names | Hiphopopotamus, J-Dog, Mad Dog[1] |
| Education | Victoria University of Wellington (BA) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
|
| Labels | Sub Pop |
| Member of | Flight of the Conchords |
| Comedy career | |
| Medium |
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| Genres | |
| Subjects | |
Musical artist | |
Jemaine Atea Mahana Clement (born 10 January 1974)[2] is a New Zealand actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker. He has released several albums withBret McKenzie as the musical comedy duoFlight of the Conchords, and createdthe comedy television series of the same name for both theBBC andHBO, for which he received sixPrimetime Emmy nominations.
He has had featured parts in films includingEagle vs Shark (2007),Gentlemen Broncos (2009),Men in Black 3 (2012),People Places Things (2015),Humor Me (2017),The Festival (2018),Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) andA Minecraft Movie (2025). He has also done voice work forDespicable Me (2010),Rio (2011) andRio 2 (2014),Moana (2016),The Lego Batman Movie (2017),Thelma the Unicorn (2024) andWildwood (2026). In 2014, he made his directorial debut withWhat We Do in the Shadows, which he also co-wrote, co-directed and co-starred in withTaika Waititi, and later adapted into a show for the FX television seriesWhat We Do in the Shadows.
Jemaine Atea Mahana Clement[3] was born on 10 January 1974 inMasterton inWairarapa,[4] and was raised there in a working-class family by his mother and grandmother Maikara with his two brothers.[3][5] Clement is ofMāori (Ngāti Kahungunu) descent through his mother, and a direct descendant of therangatira (chief)Iraia Te Ama-o-te-rangi Te Whaiti, who is his great-great-great grandfather.[6][7] HisPākehā father, Robert, was employed at thefreezing works and struggled with alcoholism, leaving home when Clement was a child. Robert would later become a stained glass artist inMidhirst,Taranaki; Clement would later reconnect with his father as an adult and now enjoys a "strong and loving" relationship with him.[8]
Clement's mother and grandmother were strong influences on him as a child, inspiring his sense of humour.[9] Despite having a strong connection to his Māori ethnicity through visiting relatives regularly on trips to variousmarae, bans on theMāori language being spoken in schools meant Clement grew up in an almost entirelyEnglish-speaking environment. He has talked of his regrets about this and has emotionally spoken of the physical abuse his grandmother suffered at school for speaking te reo Māori.[9]
He attendedMakoura College in Masterton. After finishing school he moved toWellington, where he studied drama and film atVictoria University of Wellington. There he metTaika Waititi, with whom he went on to formSo You're a Man andThe Humourbeasts. In 2004, the Humourbeasts toured New Zealand in a stage show titledThe Untold Tales of Maui,[10] a reworking of the traditional Maori legends ofMāui. The duo received New Zealand's highest comedy honour, theBilly T Award. During his time in university, he also metBret McKenzie, with whom he performed inEdinburgh, thus formingFlight of the Conchords.
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Clement and McKenzie have toured internationally and released four CDs:Folk the World Tour in 2002,The Distant Future EP in 2007 (winner of 2008 Grammy for Best Comedy Album),Flight of the Conchords in 2008 andI Told You I Was Freaky in 2009. In 2005 the Conchords producedFlight of the Conchords, a six-part comedy radio programme onBBC Radio 2. They appeared onLate Night with Conan O'Brien, theLate Show with David Letterman andThe Late Late Show. After appearing in 2005 onHBO'sOne Night Stand, the Conchords were offered their own 12-part HBO series,Flight of the Conchords, which was based on their earlier BBC radio series.[11] Its first season ran from June to September 2007, and was renewed for a second season, which aired on HBO in the US from January to March 2009.[12] In December 2009, the Conchords announced the show would not have a third season.[13]
Clement has appeared in several feature films. His debut was in thekung fu comedyTongan Ninja, directed by New ZealanderJason Stutter. He has worked with Stutter on two more films to date: the low budget ghost comedyDiagnosis: Death and the dramaPredicament, based on the book by late New Zealand novelistRonald Hugh Morrieson. Clement also has a role in American comedyGentlemen Broncos, directed byNapoleon Dynamite'sJared Hess. This role landed him a nomination for theIndependent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. ThoughGentlemen Broncos was almost universally panned by critics, some[14] singled out Clement's performance for praise. In 2010, he voiced Jerry inDespicable Me and appeared in the filmDinner for Schmucks. In 2011, he voiced Nigel inRio, and in 2012 he appeared as the primary antagonist Boris the Animal inMen in Black 3. In 2012, Jemaine co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in a vampire mockumentary titledWhat We Do in the Shadows withTaika Waititi. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 19 January 2014. He also reprised his role as Nigel inRio 2.
Clement has starred in television commercials internationally and providedvoiceovers for many others in New Zealand. On 5 February 2006,Outback Steakhouse began running a series of television commercials starring Clement duringSuper Bowl XL in which Clement pretends to be Australian and feigns an Australian accent. One of the long-running gags ofFlight of the Conchords is thetraditional rivalry between New Zealand and Australia and the differences between their accents. The campaign ended in July 2006.
Clement has been involved in award-winning radio work. In 1999, Clement was a Radio Awards Winner as writer forTrashed, forChannel Z, Wellington.[15] In 2000, he was given a Special Radio Awards Commendation forThe Sunglass Store.[16]
Besides his television work onFlight of the Conchords, Clement was a writer and cast member of the television showsSkitz andTellylaughs in New Zealand.[17][18] Clement, with fellow Conchord memberBret McKenzie, guest starred as a pair of camp counselors in "Elementary School Musical", the season premiere of the22nd season ofThe Simpsons, which aired on 26 September 2010.[19]
Clement also played the role of a prisoner in a Russiangulag in the 2014 filmMuppets Most Wanted, a sequel toThe Muppets (2011).
Clement was featured as one of 2008's "100 Sexiest People" in a special edition of the Australian magazineWho.[20] Fellow Conchord member McKenzie appeared on the same list.
In 2015, Clement voiced a "mind-readingfart"[21] on an episode of theAdult Swim animated seriesRick and Morty, where he performed the song "Goodbye Moonmen".[22] Clement also starred in the independent film,People Places Things, which received positive reviews.
In 2016, Clement lent his voice to Tamatoa, a giantcoconut crab, in theDisney animated filmMoana, both in English, and theMāori dub. He based the character's voice on that ofDavid Bowie.[23]
In 2017, Clement played Oliver Bird in the FX TV seriesLegion. He also voicedSauron inThe Lego Batman Movie. In 2019, Clement played the role of a musician in the Belgian filmPatrick. His character, a touring musician visiting a naturist camp, was one of the few characters in full clothes for the duration of the film.
Clement's family did not have a car when he was a boy, and as a result he has never learned to drive.[24] In August 2008, Clement married his longtime girlfriend, theatre actress andplaywrightMiranda Manasiadis.[25] Their son, Sophocles Iraia, was born in October 2008 inNew York City and is named after Manasiadis's Greek great-grandfather Sophocles, and Clement's ancestorIraia Te Ama-o-te-rangi Te Whaiti.[26][24] They live in Wellington.
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Tongan Ninja[27] | Action Fighter (Marvin) | Also writer |
| 2004 | Futile Attraction | Editor | |
| 2007 | Eagle vs Shark | Jarrod | |
| 2009 | Gentlemen Broncos | Ronald Chevalier | Nominated —Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male |
| Diagnosis: Death | Garfield Olyphant | ||
| 2010 | Despicable Me | Jerry theMinion | Voice role[28] |
| Predicament | Spook | ||
| Dinner for Schmucks | Kieran Vollard | ||
| 2011 | Rio | Nigel | Voice role; Nominated —Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production[28] |
| 2012 | Men in Black 3 | Boris the Animal | Nominated —Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain |
| Rhys Darby: This Way to the Spaceship | Spaceship[29] | Recorded voice role | |
| 2014 | What We Do in the Shadows | Vladislav | Also director, writer and co-producer |
| Muppets Most Wanted | Prison King | Cameo appearance | |
| Rio 2 | Nigel | Voice role[28] | |
| 2015 | People Places Things | Will Henry | |
| 2016 | Ratchet & Clank | Dallas Wannamaker | Voice role |
| The BFG | The Fleshlumpeater | Voice andmotion capture[28] | |
| Moana | Tamatoa | Voice role; also voiced the character in the 2017Māori dub[28] | |
| 2017 | The Lego Batman Movie | Sauron | Voice role[28] |
| Humor Me | Nate Kroll | ||
| Brad's Status | Billy Wearsiter | ||
| 2018 | An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn | Colin Keith Threadener | |
| The Breaker Upperers | Tinder Date | Cameo appearance | |
| The Festival | Robin | ||
| 2019 | Patrick | Dustin | |
| 2020 | I Used to Go Here | David Kirkpatrick | |
| 2022 | Nude Tuesday | Bjorg Rasmussen | |
| Don't Make Me Go | Dale Angelo | Streaming film | |
| DC League of Super-Pets | Aquaman | Voice role[28] | |
| Avatar: The Way of Water | Dr. Ian Garvin | [30] | |
| 2023 | The Moon Is Upside Down | MacIntosh | [31] |
| 2024 | Thelma the Unicorn | Vic Diamond | Voice role; streaming film |
| Harold and the Purple Crayon | Gary | [32] | |
| Moana 2 | Tamatoa | Voice cameo; Mid-credits scene | |
| 2025 | A Minecraft Movie | Daryl, Voice of Bruce | |
| M3GAN 2.0 | Alton Appleton | ||
| Avatar: Fire and Ash† | Dr. Ian Garvin | Post-production[30] | |
| 2026 | Wildwood† | TBA | Voice role; in production[33] |
| TBA | I, Object† | TBA | Post-production[34] |
| Rogue Trooper† | Mr. Brass | Post-production[35] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Enid Blyton Adventure Series | MIS Guard | Episode: "Circus of Adventures" |
| 2002 | The Tribe | VR Cowboy No. 2 | Episode #4.24 |
| 2007–2009 | Flight of the Conchords | Himself | 22 episodes Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2008 | The Drinky Crow Show | Alien | Voice role, 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Eric's Tennis Double | Episode: "Tennis" |
| 2010 | Radiradirah | Sheep | 3 episodes |
| The Simpsons | Ethan Ballantyne | Voice role, episode: "Elementary School Musical"[19] | |
| 2012 | Napoleon Dynamite | Professor Koontz | Voice role, episode: "Scantronica Love"[28] |
| 2013 | Out There | Tenebres | Voices role, episode: "Enter Destiny"[28] |
| #7DaysLater | Ms. Lockett's Father | Voice role, episode: "Portrait" | |
| 2014 | Short Poppies | — | Director |
| 2014–2016 | TripTank | Sir Ian / Alistair / Caller / Erebos / Judge Bluetail / Man in Line | Voice role, 7 episodes[28] |
| 2015 | Rick and Morty | Fart | Voice role, episode: "Mortynight Run" |
| 2016 | Regular Show | Ziggy | Voice role, episode: "California King"[28] |
| Inside Amy Schumer | DJ | Episode: "Psychopath Test" | |
| 2016–2018 | Another Period | Father Black Donahue | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Divorce | Julian Renaut | 6 episodes |
| 2016–2019 | Milo Murphy's Law | Orton Mahlson / Dr. Zone | Voices role, 5 episodes |
| 2017–2019 | Legion | Oliver Bird | 14 episodes |
| 2017 | American Dad! | Magunga | Voice role, episode: "Bazooka Steve" |
| Wrecked | Luther | 3 episodes | |
| Robot Chicken | Narrator | Voice role, episode: "Freshly Baked: The Robot Chicken Santa Claus Pot Cookie Freakout Special: Special Edition" | |
| 2018–2022 | Wellington Paranormal | Mobot | Voice role, episode: "Mobot"; Also co-creator, director, writer and executive producer |
| 2018 | We Bare Bears | Courtney | Voice role, episode: "Rescue Ranger"[28] |
| Flight of the Conchords: Live in London | Himself | Special Also writer and producer | |
| 2019–2024 | What We Do in the Shadows | Vladislav | Also co-creator, director, writer and executive producer 2 episodes |
| 2019–present | Kiri and Lou | Lou | Voice role, main role |
| 2019 | Year of the Rabbit | Tall Man | Episode: "Framed Rabbit" |
| 2020 | Steven Universe Future | Kerry Moonbeam | Voice role, episode: "Mr. Universe" |
| 2020–2022 | Tig n' Seek | This Guy | Main voice role[28] |
| 2021 | Big Mouth | Simon Sex | Voice role, episode: "Best Friends Make the Best Lovers" |
| 2022–2023 | Human Resources | Voice role, 2 episodes | |
| 2023 | Koala Man | Principal Bazwell | Main voice role[36] |
| 2024 | Time Bandits | Pure Evil | Also co-writer, executive producer, and director of several episodes[37] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The Rover (Studio 77) | Himself | Episode: "The Rover" |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Folk the World Tour | Flight of the Conchords |
| 2007 | The Distant Future | |
| 2008 | Flight of the Conchords | |
| 2009 | I Told You I Was Freaky | |
| 2011 | "Pretty Bird" | Riosoundtrack |
| 2014 | "I Will Survive" | Rio 2 soundtrack |
| 2016 | "Shiny" | Moanasoundtrack |
| 2018 | "Goodbye Moonmen" | Rick and Morty soundtrack |
| 2019 | Live in London | Flight of the Conchords |
| 2020 | "Mr. Universe" | Steven Universe Future |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Flight of the Conchords | Jemaine | Also writer |
| 2016 | The Mysterious Secrets Of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium | LordJoseph Banks | Podcast |
… actor Jemaine Clement in 1974 (age 46)
I'm part Maori. My mum's Maori, and she raised me.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
