Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi (born 16 August 1975) is a New Zealand actor, comedian, film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for directing the films Boy (2010), Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Jojo Rabbit (2019), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). He also directed the first season of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian (2019).
Waititi has won numerous awards for his work, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit, a BAFTA Award for Best Director for Thor: Ragnarok, and two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for The Mandalorian.
Early life
Waititi was born in Wellington, New Zealand, to a Māori father and a Jewish mother. He grew up in the Wellington suburb of Aro Valley. Waititi attended Onslow College, where he studied drama and film. After graduating from Onslow College, Waititi worked as a stand-up comedian and actor.
Career
Waititi's first feature film, Boy (2010), was a critical and commercial success. The film won numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Waititi's second feature film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), was also a critical and commercial success. The film won numerous awards, including the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
In 2017, Waititi directed Thor: Ragnarok, the third installment in the Thor film series. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $850 million worldwide. Waititi's next film, Jojo Rabbit (2019), was a satirical comedy set in Nazi Germany. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $125 million worldwide. Jojo Rabbit won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
In 2019, Waititi directed the first season of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. The series was a critical and commercial success, and was nominated for numerous awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series.
In 2022, Waititi directed Thor: Love and Thunder, the fourth installment in the Thor film series. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $750 million worldwide.
Personal life
Waititi is married to Rita Ora. The couple have two children together. Waititi is also the father of two children from a previous relationship.
Awards and nominations
Waititi has won numerous awards for his work, including:
- Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit (2020)
- BAFTA Award for Best Director for Thor: Ragnarok (2018)
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for The Mandalorian (2020)
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for The Mandalorian (2020)
- Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for Boy (2010)
- Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival for Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
