Taika Waititi

Taika David Cohen ONZM (born 16 August 1975), known professionally as Taika Waititi, is a renowned New Zealand filmmaker, actor, and comedian. Known for directing quirky comedy films, he has expanded his career as a voice actor and producer on numerous critically acclaimed projects. His feature films Boy (2010) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) have each been the top-grossing New Zealand film. Waititi's directorial forays also include the superhero films Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), as well as the black comedy film Jojo Rabbit (2019), which he also wrote and starred in enough to an imaginary version of Adolf Hitler. Waititi has received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award, and was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Taika David Cohen grew up embracing both his Maori and Jewish identities. He was raised primarily by his mother, following his parents' divorce when he was around five. Undergoing education in theatre at Victoria University of Wellington, he later on adopted his father's name, Waititi, professionally, despite his surname being legally Cohen. His career has been versatile, including being part of a five-member comedy ensemble 'So You're a Man' which toured New Zealand and Australia with some success, directing and writing for television, and even roles in superhero films like the Green Lantern. His work covers a broad spectrum of themes including identity, family, and indigenous culture.