New Zealand actor and trade union delegate (1945–2019)
Anzac Hohepa Wallace (born Norman Pene Rewiri; 15 September 1945 – 8 April 2019), also known as Zac Wallace, was a New Zealand actor and former trade union delegate.[1][2][3][4] He is best known for his role as Te Wheke in the 1983 New Zealand film Utu.[5][6][7]
Early life
Wallace was born on 15 September 1945.[4] He grew up in Mission Bay, Auckland. His iwi affiliation was Ngāpuhi.[8] As a youth, he was involved in petty crime, eventually escalating to armed robbery, for which he spent several years in prison until 1974. During his time in prison, he taught himself to read.[9][1] He then went to work in earthmoving, working as part of the Auckland Mangere Bridge project.[3]
Career
Despite having minimal acting experience, Wallace was cast in the lead role of Te Wheke in Geoff Murphy's acclaimed 1983 film Utu.[1] In 1985 he appeared in The Silent One, The Quiet Earth and Dangerous Orphans.[3] Shortly afterwards, he departed for Australia, returning to New Zealand in 2013.[3] He appeared in Shortland Street as Rocky Hannah in 2016.[3]
Death
Wallace died on 8 April 2019 from cancer.[10][11] He was survived by his wife, Deidre Nehua.[12]
References
External links
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