Julian Dennison Bio
Julian Bailey Dennison (born 26 October 2002) is a New Zealand actor widely recognized for his work in both local productions and major international blockbusters. He first drew widespread attention for his performance in the 2013 New Zealand film Shopping, a role that earned him the English Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor. He has since built a versatile career spanning independent drama, superhero action, family holiday films, and the 2016 New Zealand record-breaker Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Today, Julian Dennison stands as one of the most prominent young actors to emerge from New Zealand in recent years.
Early Life and Background
Julian Bailey Dennison was born on 26 October 2002 in Lower Hutt, a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand. He grew up in a close family as the third of four children and has a twin brother named Christian. Julian is of Māori descent and is a member of the Ngāti Hauā iwi, a tribe that forms part of the larger Tainui tribal confederation. His mother, Mabelle Dennison, is an actress, which gave him early exposure to the performing arts.
He attended Naenae Primary School, where he first auditioned for acting work and secured his debut role at a young age. After completing his primary education, Julian went on to study at Hutt International Boys’ School in Upper Hutt. His cultural heritage and family ties to the entertainment world played a meaningful role in shaping his early interest in performance and storytelling.
Path to Acting
Julian Dennison’s path into acting began at Naenae Primary School, where he successfully auditioned for the 2013 New Zealand film Shopping. His performance in the film won him the English Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor, marking a remarkable debut for such a young performer. Following this early success, he was cast in the Australian family film Paper Planes in 2015, further expanding his range on screen.
He also appeared in a public service advertisement for the New Zealand Transport Agency discouraging drug-impaired driving. The ad, directed by filmmaker Taika Waititi, became an internet sensation in New Zealand and Australia. That collaboration proved pivotal, as Waititi later cast Dennison in his 2016 film Hunt for the Wilderpeople without requiring a formal audition, a decision that would shape the trajectory of his career.
Julian Dennison Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Julian Dennison began his career in 2013 with the New Zealand film Shopping, a role that earned him the English Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor. The recognition established him as a promising young talent in the local film industry at just ten years old. He followed this with a part in the 2015 Australian film Paper Planes, broadening his experience in family-oriented productions.
During this early period, Dennison also took on a memorable role in a public service announcement for the New Zealand Transport Agency. Directed by Taika Waititi, the anti-drug-driving ad circulated widely online across New Zealand and Australia, boosting his public profile. These early experiences laid a strong foundation for his transition into larger film projects.
Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Julian Dennison’s breakthrough came in 2016 when he played the role of Ricky Baker in Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople. The film became the highest-grossing New Zealand film in history and received widespread critical acclaim, cementing his reputation as a leading young actor. His chemistry with co-star Sam Neill and his natural comedic timing made Ricky Baker one of his most beloved performances.
Building on this success, Dennison took on the role of Russell Collins, also known as Firefist, in the 2018 superhero film Deadpool 2. He was cast largely because of his performance in Hunt for the Wilderpeople and the friendship between Taika Waititi and the Deadpool filmmakers. In 2020, he co-starred in The Christmas Chronicles 2, portraying the character Belsnickel and also voicing the elf form of the same character, expanding his presence in family holiday entertainment.
Notable Works and Milestones
Among Julian Dennison’s most recognized works are his roles as Ricky Baker in Hunt for the Wilderpeople, the highest-grossing New Zealand film in history, and Russell Firefist Collins in Deadpool 2. His early award for Shopping established him as a serious talent, while his later performances in The Christmas Chronicles 2 and Godzilla vs. Kong demonstrated his ability to move between intimate drama and large-scale blockbusters. These milestones have helped define his career and broaden his international audience.
Continued Work (2021–2023)
In 2021, Julian Dennison took on a large supporting role as Josh Valentine in the monster sequel Godzilla vs. Kong, joining a globally successful franchise. He then starred as the lead character Josh Waaka in the 2023 New Zealand film Uproar, a performance that critics, including The Age, praised for its admirable restraint. In an interview with The Post, Dennison described Uproar as the project where he felt he was finding his voice as an actor.
Also in 2023, he was cast in the A24 film Y2K, further demonstrating his willingness to explore varied genres and independent productions. These projects reflected a period of growth in which Dennison balanced big-budget studio work with smaller, more personal New Zealand stories.
Julian Dennison Award Nominations
Julian Dennison’s early career has been marked by notable award recognition, beginning with his debut performance in Shopping. His supporting role in the 2013 film brought him industry attention and contributed to his selection for higher-profile international productions. While his more recent dramatic work in films such as Uproar has drawn critical praise, including commendation from The Age, his formal nomination history remains anchored to the recognition he earned at the start of his career.
Julian Dennison Awards Won
Julian Dennison won the English Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 2013 New Zealand film Shopping. The award recognized his standout work in one of his earliest screen appearances and signaled his potential as a major talent. It remains a defining early-career achievement and a foundation for his continued success in film.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| English Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor | 1 | 2013 |
Julian Dennison Family
Julian Dennison was raised in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, as the third of four children, and he has a twin brother named Christian. His mother, Mabelle Dennison, is an actress, which provided him with direct exposure to the craft from a young age. He is of Māori descent and a member of the Ngāti Hauā iwi within the Tainui tribal confederation, a heritage that continues to shape his identity and outlook.
Personal Life
Julian Dennison has largely kept his personal life private, focusing public attention on his growing body of work in film. He attended Hutt International Boys’ School in Upper Hutt, where he balanced his education with an increasingly demanding acting career. His cultural roots and family connections remain an important part of his life as he continues to take on new and varied roles in the entertainment industry.
Upcoming Projects
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Julian Dennison is set to play the character Fishlegs Ingerman in the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, which was announced in January 2024. The casting marks another major step in his career, placing him in a high-profile family franchise. He is also expected to continue expanding his range through future projects in both New Zealand and international film.
