Ken Blackburn ONZM is the recipient of the 2017 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Ryman Healthcare. With a career spanning over 40 years, Ken has worked in film, television, radio, and theatre, appearing in many iconic New Zealand TV shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess, Farscape, Close To Home, Gliding On, and Shortland Street.
His film credits include pioneering feature Skin Deep, The Frighteners, King Kong, and Rest for the Wicked. Ken's stage credits are also extensive, with his performance as Vladimir in Waiting for Godot earning him the Best Actor award at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards in 1999. He was also awarded the Queen's Birthday Honours List for Services to the Performing Arts in 2005.
Ken has recently performed in Circa Theatre's 2017 production of Three Days in the Country. As an actor, he has worked in New Zealand, the UK, and Australia, and has also directed stage, film, television, and radio productions. His autobiographical book Blitz Kids was published by the BBC in 1995.
Equity President Jennifer Ward-Lealand says that Ken is a beloved and respected member of the performer community, and his name came up repeatedly during the nomination process for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ken was nominated by New Zealand performers and selected by the board of Equity New Zealand.
The Equity New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award has been made possible with the support of Ryman Healthcare, which has also supported previous recipients including Elizabeth McRae and Dame Kate Harcourt. Ryman Healthcare chief executive Gordon MacLeod congratulated Ken on his achievement, stating that his many characters have delighted generations of New Zealanders and he has made a huge contribution to TV, film, and theatre in New Zealand.
Ken will be honoured at an awards ceremony in Auckland in November.
