Curtis, one of nine children, was born in Rotorua, North Island, the son of an amateur dancer. He is of Maori descent and his tribal affiliations are Te Arawa and Ngati Hauiti. He has shown the ability to portray characters of a wide range of ethnicities; particularly various Latin American and Arab characters. He has appeared as a character actor in many Hollywood films, while back home in New Zealand he is usually the main star.As a boy he studied "Mau Rakau" a traditional Maori form of staff fighting with Maori elder "Mita Mohi" on the island of Mokoia, which nurtured his abilities as a performer in "Kapahaka" (traditional Maori song and dance performance). He later performed as a breakdancer and then competitively in Rock'n'Roll revival dance competitions.
He started acting in amateur theatre productions of musicals Fiddler on the Roof and The Man of La Mancha with the Kapiti Players and the Mantis Cooperative Theatre Company before attending The New Zealand Drama School and there after Teatro Dimitri Scoula in Switzerland.
Quick Info
Born Clifford Vivian Devon Curtis
July 27, 1968, Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand
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