Anzac Wallace

Anzac Hohepa Wallace,[1] also known as Zac Wallace, born Norman Pene Rewiri[2] (1943 – 8 April 2019),[3] was a New Zealand actor and former trade union delegate.[4] He is best known for his role as Te Wheke in the 1983 New Zealand film Utu.[5][6][7]

Early life

Wallace grew up in Mission Bay, Auckland. His iwi affiliation was Ngāpuhi.[8] As a youth, he was involved in petty crime, eventually escalating to armed robbery, for which he spent several years in prison until 1974. During his time in prison, he taught himself to read.[9][2] He then went to work in earthmoving, working as part of the Auckland Mangere Bridge project.[4]

Career

Despite having minimal acting experience, Wallace was cast in the lead role of Te Wheke in Geoff Murphy's acclaimed 1983 film Utu.[2] In 1985 he appeared in The Silent One, The Quiet Earth and Dangerous Orphans.[4] Shortly afterwards, he departed for Australia, returning to New Zealand in 2013.[4] He appeared in Shortland Street as Rocky Hannah in 2016.[4]

Death

Wallace died on 8 April 2019 from cancer.[10][11] He was survived by his wife, Deidre Nehua.[12]

References
  1. "Anzac Wallace death notice". New Zealand Herald. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  2. Gelder, Lawrence Van (30 September 1984). "Out of Pridson and into the Movies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  3. "Zac Wallace a modern day warrior". www.waateanews.com. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  4. Screen, NZ On. "Anzac Wallace | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  5. "'The Dead Lands' and pre-colonial representation in cinema". SBS Movies. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  6. Pulver, Andrew (4 December 2018). "Geoff Murphy, pioneer of modern New Zealand cinema, dies aged 80". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  7. Screen, NZ On. "Utu | Film | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  8. 'Utu' lead actor Anzac Wallace passes away, Māori Television, 8 April 2019
  9. "Anzac Wallace went from teenage thief to scene-stealer and activist". Stuff. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  10. "Utu actor Zac Wallace dies from cancer". TVNZ. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  11. "Revered Utu actor Anzac Wallace dies following battle with cancer". 8 April 2019. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  12. Hayden, Leonie (9 April 2019). "In memory of Anzac Wallace". The Spinoff. Retrieved 6 July 2019.


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