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Pua Magasiva

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Pua Magasiva
Born(1980-08-10)10 August 1980
Apia, Samoa
Died11 May 2019(2019-05-11) (aged 38)
Wellington, New Zealand
EducationSt Patrick's College[1][2]
Occupation(s)Actor, Radio Presenter
Years active1999–2019
Spouse(s)
Kourtney Ngaamo
​
​
(m. 2012; div. 2015)​

Elizabeth Sadler
​
(m. 2018)​
Children2
RelativesRobbie Magasiva (brother)

Pua Magasiva (10 August 1980[3] – 11 May 2019) was a New Zealand actor of Samoan descent, best known for his roles as Shane Clarke, the Red Ranger from Power Rangers Ninja Storm, and Vinnie Kruse in the soap opera Shortland Street, both co-starring with Sally Martin. He was also one of the co-hosts of radio station Flava.

Biography

Magasiva was born in Apia, Samoa, but raised in Wellington, New Zealand, since he was two years old.[3] He was the younger brother of actor Robbie Magasiva. It was Robbie who inspired Magasiva to become an actor, after being signed up with an acting agency and acquiring small roles.[3] In 1999, he made a minor appearance on Shortland Street as Elvis Iosefa, a relative of Louie Iosefa (played by Shimpal Lelisi). Then in 2001, he landed a role in a six-part Māori language television series called Aroha. The series went on to screen at the International Film Festival in Auckland, receiving critical praise. Finally in 2003, Magasiva made the leading roles in both Power Rangers: Ninja Storm (which included a guest appearance by Robbie in one episode) and Shortland Street.[4][3] He stayed on Shortland Street until 2006.[4] By then, he played the title character in the comedy film Sione's Wedding,[4] which starred his brother Robbie and other members of the Naked Samoans. In 2007, he appeared in the horror film 30 Days of Night. In 2009, Magasiva made guest appearances in Diplomatic Immunity and Outrageous Fortune.[4] In 2011, he returned as Vinnie Kruse on Shortland Street.[4]

Outside his work on television and film, Magasiva acted in theatre, including Two Days in Dream in 2003 (written by Mario Gaoa, member of the Naked Samoans, and directed by Colin Mitchell). Another play that he acted in was Sex with Strangers, which was written by Mitchell, though Two Days in Dream was well received by critics. In 2008, he co-starred with brother Robbie in the play Where We Once Belonged. Magasiva also appeared in nine Lift Plus commercials in New Zealand and also took over his brother's role as the Small Blacks TV News presenter opposite Conrad Snakey Smith. In January 2017, he helped pull a man from his burning car.[5]

Domestic assault and suicide

On 18 December 2019, a name suppression order was lifted, revealing that Pua Magasiva had been convicted of domestic assault against his wife in April, 15 days before his death. Pua was sentenced to 70 hours of community work, and six months of supervision.[6][7] According to his widow, during a tell-all photoshoot after his death, he had engaged in a regular pattern of abuse, concussed her three times, and threatened to harm her, himself, or their daughter, if she went to the police. She claimed to have later found a diary belonging to him showing "pages... full of haunting images, tortured thoughts and self-loathing" and admitting that he had always been violent and angry. On 11 May 2019, Pua Magasiva died of a suspected suicide in a hotel room in Wellington. His widow stated that he attacked her in a drunken rage the night he died.[8]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2001 The Other Side of Heaven Finau
Aidiko Insane Phoebus
2004 Haka & Siva Siva Short film
2006 Sione's Wedding Sione
Uso Ranatonga Short film
2007 30 Days of Night Malekai Hamm
2010 Matariki Sergeant Wolfgram
2011 Panic at Rock Island TK
2012 Sione's 2: Unfinished Business Sione Final film role

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1999; 2003–2006; 2011–2018 Shortland Street Elvis Iosefa (1999)
Nurse Vinnie Kruse (2003–2006, 2011–2018)		 308 episodes
2002 Revelations - The Initial Journey Greg Davies Episode: "Unfinished Business"
2003 Power Rangers Ninja Storm Shane Clarke / Red Wind Ranger 38 episodes
2004 Power Rangers Dino Thunder 2 episodes
What Now? Himself "Episode #23.2"
2009 Diplomatic Immunity The Niu Episode: "Boris the Spider"
Outrageous Fortune Issac 5 episodes
2011 East West 101 Ned Rewiti Episode: "Ned Rewiti"
2013–2019 Small Blacks TV Himself
2014 Flat3 Winston Episode: "The Game"

References

  1. ^ "Pua Magasiva honoured with jersey, black armbands by St Pat's College First XV". Stuff. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  2. ^ Long, Jessica (15 May 2019). "Wellington high school farewells former First XV player Pua Magasiva during rugby match". Stuff. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Owen, Catrin. "Pua Magasiva's life in the spotlight and the 'demons' behind it". Stuff. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e Fonseka, Dileepa; Earley, Melanie (12 May 2019). "Pua Magasiva's family acknowledges 'outpouring of love' for former Shortland Street Star". Stuff. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  5. ^ Cowlishaw, Shane (10 January 2017). "Shortland Street star real-life hero". The Press. p. A5. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  6. ^ Meng-Yee, Carolyne (21 December 2019). "Pua Magasiva's death: Widow Lizz reveals domestic violence culminating on night he died". NZ Herald. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  7. ^ Moger, Laine; Owen, Catrin (18 December 2019). "Late actor Pua Magasiva attacked wife and coerced her into helping keep his name secret". Stuff.
  8. ^ Hurley, Sam (17 December 2019). "Pua Magasiva's dark final days: Actor's assault on wife Lizz now revealed after suppression lifted". NZ Herald.
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