Nancy Brunning

Nancy Brunning
Born1971 (1971)
Taupō, New Zealand
Died (aged 48)
Wellington, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealander
EducationToi Whakaari
Occupation(s)Actor, director, writer
Years active1992–2019

Nancy Brunning (1971 – 16 November 2019) was a New Zealand actress, director, and writer who won awards in film and television and made a major contribution to the growth of Māori in the arts.[1] She won the best actress award at the New Zealand Film Awards for her lead role in the film What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999).[2][3] In 2000, she won the Best Actress in Drama award at the New Zealand Television Awards for her lead role in the television series Nga Tohu.

She was the acting coach for the Oscar-nominated short film Two Cars, One Night directed by Taika Waititi. According to friend and frequent collaborator Temuera Morrison, she "paved the way" for Māori actors in New Zealand.[4]

  1. ^ Colin Chambers (14 May 2006). Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre. A&C Black. pp. 546–. ISBN 978-1-84714-001-2.
  2. ^ Desmarais, Felix; McConnell, Glenn (17 November 2019). "Nancy Brunning wins Bruce Mason playwriting award one day after death". Stuff. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Ex-Shortland Street star Nancy Brunning crowdfunding 'life prolonging' drug". The New Zealand Herald. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  4. ^ Emily Brookes (18 November 2019). "'An explosive actress': Temuera Morrison remembers Nancy Brunning". Stuff. Retrieved 19 November 2019.