Biography
Ben Barrington (born January 14, 1977, New Zealand) is a New Zealand actor best known for his decade-long portrayal of Dr. Drew McCaskill on Shortland Street and as the lovable Norse god Olaf Johnson in The Almighty Johnsons. Standing 6'4" (193 cm), he has built a versatile career spanning theatre, television, and international film productions over more than two decades. Early Life & Training Barrington grew up in Hamilton with no initial aspirations toward acting. The spark came at Waikato University when he impulsively auditioned for Caryl Churchill's Cloud Nine — landing the role transformed his trajectory. He applied to Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School without realizing how competitive it was, becoming one of 18 selected from 300 applicants. He graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts and promptly won a Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for his Wellington stage work. Personal Life Barrington lives in Titirangi, Auckland, with his wife Kristie Fergus — a makeup artist he married in March 2019 in a bohemian-themed ceremony featuring a choreographed disco routine. Their daughter Harley was born in June 2016; Fergus's son Ollie from a previous relationship complete…
Movies & TV Shows
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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) — Gondorian Soldier / Ranger / Orc (uncredited)
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) — Centaur
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The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014) — Steve
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My Life Is Murder (2019) — Tom Bernay
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The Almighty Johnsons (2011) — Olaf Johnson
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Shortland Street (1992) — Drew McCaskill
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Eruption (2009) — Vince
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Auckward Love (2015) — Brian
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4 Weeks (2009) — Luigi