Ernie Leonard
Ernie Leonard (1931 – 15, July 1994) was a New Zealand television presenter, wrestling commentator, and actor. He was well known to wrestling fans.
Background[edit]
Leonard was born in Marton, New Zealand in 1931. The son of an Anglican minister, he was of Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Rangitane descent.[1][2] Along with Steve Rickard, he co-hosted and commented for the wrestling show, On the Mat.[3][4] During his career, he worked with people such as producer Ngaire Fuata.[5] In 1986, he recruited Whai Ngata to start up the Māori department on Television New Zealand.[6]
Acting roles[edit]
In 1966 Leonard appeared in the film Don't Let It Get You, which was directed by John O'Shea.[7][8] At the time, Leonard was employed as the public relations officer in Rotorua.[9]
Leonard played the part of Charlie Rata, a core character in the ground-breaking TV series Pukemanu, which ran from 1971 to 1972.[10][11]
Television[edit]
Leonard secured the position of head of the Maori Programmes Department for TVNZ during the mid-1980s. He was first person to hold that position.[12]
Death[edit]
Leonard died at age 62 on 15 July 1994 following a short battle with cancer.[13]
Filmography[edit]
Actor[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Don't Let It Get You | Himself | Feature film[14] |
| 1971-72 | Pukemanu | Charlie Rata | TV series[15] |
| 1975-81 | On The Mat | Presenter | TV wrestling show (also producer 1981-84)[16] |
| 1984 | A Big Country presents Kiwis | Himself | TV documentary series[17][18] |
Crew[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Radio Wha Waho | Executive Producer | TV comedy series[19][20] |
References[edit]
- ^ NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, Biography
- ^ Ngā Aho Whakaari - Chapter Two: Māori and the Screen Industry by NgāAho Whakaari Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Radio New Zealand, 7 April 2015 - Michael Cropp
- ^ NZ Wrestling New Zealand Wrestling History Part 5 - Dave Cameron Archived 18 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Public Broadcasting Service MA, ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS, Ngaire Fuata, Producer Archived 5 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Scoop, Monday, 4 April 2016 Poroporoaki: Whai Ngata
- ^ New Zealand Filmmakers, By Ian Conrich, Stuart Murray Page 62 Laurence Simmons
- ^ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ New Zealand Filmmakers, edited by Ian Conrich, Stuart Murray - Page 62
- ^ NZ On Screen - Pukemanu, Television, 1971–1972, Credits
- ^ New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56
- ^ Teara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Story: Māori and television – whakaata, Pukemanu, 1971
- ^ NZ On Screen - Ernie Leonard, Biography
- ^ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision - Events→ Don’t Let it Get You Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change, By Trisha Dunleavy, Hester Joyce - Page 54 to 56
- ^ Imdb - Ernie Leonard
- ^ BFI - Kiwis (1984)
- ^ Canberra Times, Apr 23 1984 - Page 1 'A Big Country goes overseas
- ^ BFI - Kiwis (1984)
- ^ NZ on Screen - Radio Wha Waho, Television, 1993