Ken Blackburn

Who is Ken Blackburn?

Ken Blackburn, ONZM is a New Zealand actor and writer. He has worked in film, television, radio and theatre in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia since the 1970s.

Blackburn was born in Bristol, United Kingdom, and completed his education in New Zealand. In an acting career dominated by New Zealand productions, he is best known internationally for his roles in Xena: Warrior Princess and Farscape. In New Zealand he is remembered as the boss in popular Roger Hall sitcom Gliding On. Blackburn's other screen roles include breakthrough kidult series Hunter's Gold, and 'baddy' roles on New Zealand's longest-running soap operas: Close to Home and Shortland Street. He also had a starring role in 1978 feature Skin Deep, playing a local identity who encourages the gym in his town to employ a city masseuse in a bid to improve the town's image.

Blackburn has an extensive career as a theatrical performer; in 1999 his performance as Vladimir in Waiting for Godot earned him the Best Actor award at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. He was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

In 1991, the BBC published Blackburn's book Blitz Kids, about the Bristol Blitz.