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Jim Moriarty

Known For
Acting
Born
June 20, 1953 in New Zealand
Active Years
1980–2026 (47 Years)
Total Credits
21 credits in database
Acting Born Jun 20, 1953 New Zealand 21 credits
21
Total Credits
1980–2026
47 Years Career Span
4
Vault Titles
0
Key Co-Stars

Biography

James Moriarty, also known as Jim Moriarty, is a New Zealand actor and theatre director who began his professional acting career in 1967. He is a member of the Māori tribes of Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, and Ngāti Kahungunu. Moriarty gained national attention and is widely recognized for his portrayal of the school teacher Riki Winiata in the 1970s soap opera Close to Home. His professional work as an actor and director has toured both nationally and internationally. His film credits include roles in the 1980 production Night of the Juggler, the 2009 film The Strength of Water, and the 2012 project Whakatiki. He holds the post-nominal letters MNZM.

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Career

Career overview

Role: Meticulous television and film archivist.
Task: Write a 180-260 word career overview of Jim Moriarty (Acting).
Constraints:
Use ONLY verifiable facts from the provided SYNOPSIS and SOURCES.
No inventing/guessing (titles, names, dates, etc.).
Original, neutral, encyclopedic prose.
Plain text only (no markdown, no asterisks, no headings, no bullet points).
Word count: 180-260 words.
Structure: 2-3 short paragraphs.
No preamble or JSON.
Name: James Moriarty MNZM (also Jim Moriarty).
Nationality: New Zealand.
Profession: Actor and theatre director.
Professional start: 1967.
Notable role: Riki Winiata (school teacher) in the 1970s soap opera Close to Home.
Work scope: Toured nationally and internationally.
Known for/Credits: The Strength of Water (2009), Whakatiki (2012), Night of the Juggler (1980).
Birthday: June 20, 1953.
Tribes: Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, and Ngāti Kahungunu.
Paragraph 1: Introduction and Early Career.
James Moriarty MNZM is a New Zealand actor and theatre director who began his professional acting career in 1967. Born on June 20, 1953, in New Zealand, Moriarty is from the Māori tribes of Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, and Ngāti Kahungunu. He achieved national attention through his performance in the 1970s soap opera Close to Home, where he played the role of school teacher Riki Winiata. His professional work has toured both nationally and internationally.
Paragraph 2: Film and Television Credits.
Throughout his career, Moriarty has appeared in various productions. His acting credits include the production Night of the Juggler in 1980. More recent work includes his appearance in The Strength of Water in 2009 and Whakatiki in 2012. His body of work as an actor and director has spanned several decades, contributing to his recognition within the industry.
Draft 1 Text:
James Moriarty MNZM is a New Zealand actor and theatre director who began acting professionally in 1967. Born on June 20, 1953, in New Zealand, Moriarty is from the Māori tribes of Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, and Ngāti Kahungunu. He came to national attention and is recognized for his role as the school teacher Riki Winiata in the 1970s soap opera Close to Home. His professional work has toured both nationally and internationally.

Moriarty's acting credits include several notable productions. He is known for his work in Night of the Juggler, which was released in 1980. His later credits include The Strength of Water in 2009 and Whakatiki in 2012. As an actor and theatre director, his career has involved various roles and productions across different decades.
Word Count Check:
Draft 1 is approximately 145 words. This is below the 180-260 word requirement. I need to expand using only the provided facts.
Expansion Strategy:
I cannot invent facts. I must use the existing facts more thoroughly or combine them in a way that maintains the word count. Let's look at the sources again.
Name: James Moriarty MNZM / Jim Moriarty.
Profession: Actor and theatre director.
Start: 1967.
Role: Riki Winiata (school teacher

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Career timeline

Uncle
Secrets at Red Rocks
VegasCousins
This Town
The Gravedigger of Kapu
Mahana
The Witch & the Woodsman
The Strength of WaterNo Petrol, No Diesel
Fog
The Waimate Conspiracy
A Difficult Woman
A Difficult WomanSaving Grace
WildsideWildside
The Returning
Mark II
Kingpin
Night of the Juggler

Full Filmography

21 titles
  • Uncle (2026) as Neighbour
  • Secrets at Red Rocks (2025) as Ted
  • Vegas (2021) as Henry Ruata
  • Cousins (2021) as Māori Caregiver
  • This Town (2020) as Bernie
  • The Gravedigger of Kapu (2018) as Hone
  • Mahana (2016) as Rupeni Poata
  • The Witch & the Woodsman (2010) as Grandfather
  • Advertisement
  • The Strength of Water (2009) as Gibby
  • No Petrol, No Diesel (2009) as Oscar
  • Fog (2007) as Dad
  • The Waimate Conspiracy (2006) as George Kepa
  • A Difficult Woman (1999) as Dominic Martin
  • A Difficult Woman (1998) as Dominic Martin
  • Saving Grace (1998) as Gerald Hutchinson
  • Wildside (1997) as Tom Wallace
  • Wildside (1997) as Derek Lamb
  • The Returning (1990) as George
  • Mark II (1986) as Rangi
  • Kingpin (1985) as Mike Herewini
  • Night of the Juggler (1980) as Truck Driver

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is Jim Moriarty best known for?

Jim Moriarty is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Is It True That...? (2025), Room of Death (2007), Room of Death (2007), Night of the Juggler (1980).

When and where was Jim Moriarty born?

Jim Moriarty was born on June 20, 1953 in New Zealand.

How many credits does Jim Moriarty have?

Jim Moriarty has accumulated over 21 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1980 to 2026.

What is Jim Moriarty's background in cinema and television?

James Moriarty, also known as Jim Moriarty, is a New Zealand actor and theatre director who began his professional acting career in 1967. He is a member of the Māori tribes of Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, and Ngāti Kahungunu. Moriarty gained national attention and is widely recognized for his portrayal of the school teacher...

Jim Moriarty by the numbers

21credits
16films
5TV series
1980–2026active years

Age in their best-rated roles

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