Jemaine Clement

Jemaine Clement
Office of the Governor-General of New Zealand · CC0 · source
Name	Jemaine Clement
Birth date	1974-01-10
Birth place	Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Occupation	Actor, comedian, musician, writer, director
Years active	1999–present

Jemaine Clement is a New Zealand actor, comedian, musician, writer and director known for his work in comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, film, television and stage. He rose to international prominence through a BBC Radio and HBO television series before moving into feature films and theatre, collaborating with filmmakers, musicians and institutions across New Zealand and international entertainment industries. Clement's career bridges popular culture, independent cinema, and musical comedy, earning awards and recognition from festivals, academies and arts organizations.

Early life and education

Clement was born in Lower Hutt, Wellington Region, New Zealand and raised in a multicultural household with connections to Māori people and Pākehā, attending local schools before studying at Victoria University of Wellington. He studied theatre and film, engaging with student media outlets and participating in projects linked to Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, New Zealand School of Music, Theatre Royal (Wellington), and festivals such as the New Zealand International Film Festival and Wellington Fringe Festival. During this period he worked with peers who later joined ensembles associated with Theatres Trust, Sundance Institute, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and national broadcasters including Radio New Zealand and TVNZ.

Career

Clement's early professional work involved sketch comedy, short films and radio, collaborating with creatives from New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Spike Jonze, Taika Waititi, and performers linked to Comedy Festival Christchurch and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. He co-founded projects that toured venues like Sydney Opera House, Auckland Town Hall, Royal Festival Hall and appeared at industry showcases for SXSW, Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Venice Film Festival. His collaborations extended to production companies such as BBC Radio 4, HBO, BBC Television, Universal Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, and independent labels connected to Sub Pop and Rough Trade Records.

Flight of the Conchords

Clement achieved international visibility as one half of the comedy duo with Bret McKenzie that formed Flight of the Conchords, performing songs and sketches across venues tied to Auckland Arts Festival, Green Man Festival, Latitude Festival and tours promoted by agencies linked to CAA and WME. The duo developed a BBC Radio 2 programme that led to an HBO television series co-produced by BBC Worldwide, featuring guest appearances from artists associated with Jonah Hill, Rhys Darby, Mickey Rourke, and creatives connected to Nick Kroll and Kristen Schaal. Their catalogue includes tracks that charted on listings overseen by Billboard, were released by labels influenced by EMI, and were performed at award ceremonies like the Grammy Awards and events hosted by SXSW and Montreux Jazz Festival.

Film and television roles

Clement's filmography spans independent and studio films, appearing in projects directed by Peter Jackson, Taika Waititi, Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement collaboration noted elsewhere, Taika Waititi-linked ensembles and international directors including Guillermo del Toro-influenced crews, and starring in films distributed by Universal Pictures and Searchlight Pictures. He played roles in feature films with casts including Ricky Gervais, Emma Thompson, Nicole Kidman, Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, Kristin Wiig, Joaquin Phoenix, and worked on television series alongside performers from Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, and Arrested Development alumni. Clement also co-created and directed projects that screened on HBO, BBC, and at festivals such as Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.

Music and stage work

Beyond recorded music with Flight of the Conchords, Clement has composed and performed music for stage and screen, collaborating with musicians and orchestras connected to Royal Albert Hall, London Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and indie labels associated with Matador Records. He has appeared in theatrical productions at venues including Sydney Opera House, Royal Court Theatre, National Theatre (London), and worked with directors from Royal Shakespeare Company, choreographers linked to Cirque du Soleil, and playwrights whose works have been staged at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Auckland Arts Festival.

Awards and recognition

Clement's work with his duo and in film and television has received nominations and awards from institutions including the Grammy Awards, BAFTA, Emmy Awards associations, New Zealand Film and TV Awards, and festival prizes at Sundance Film Festival and SXSW. He and collaborators have been recognized by organizations such as New Zealand Order of Merit-adjacent cultural bodies, arts councils tied to Creative New Zealand, and international critics’ circles linked to Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Guardian.

Personal life and activism

Clement maintains ties to Wellington, Auckland, and international creative communities in Los Angeles and London, and has supported charitable and cultural causes involving WWF, UNICEF, indigenous rights groups associated with Ngāi Tahu and arts advocacy organizations like Creative New Zealand and Arts Council England. He has participated in benefit concerts and public campaigns alongside artists connected to Peter Gabriel, Neil Finn, Björk, and activists linked to environmental movements such as 350.org and arts-focused charities that collaborate with institutions like UNESCO.

Category:New Zealand male actors Category:New Zealand comedians Category:New Zealand musicians