Taika Waititi is a filmmaker, actor, and comedian from New Zealand. He’s known for making funny and unique movies. He’s also a voice actor and produces films. His impressive achievements include winning an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award.
Additionally, he has earned two nominations for the prestigious Primetime Emmy Award. Notably, Time magazine recognized his influence on the global stage by including him in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.
If you are also a fan of Taika and want to know more about your favorite actor cum director then this Taika Waititi Biography is here at your service. In this article we will be discussing the life of this amazing man, we’ll be talking about his career, his personal life, and many other interesting aspects. So, Keep reading this article till the end.
Taika Waititi Wiki
Taika Waititi was born on 16th August 1975 (Age: 49 years old), he is a well-known Director, Actor, Producer, comedian, and Screenwriter born in Wellington, New Zealand and he comes from a Maori family from his father’s side. He is also Jewish from his mother’s side.
Biography
| Full Name | Taika David Cohen |
| Nick Name | Taika |
| Profession | Director, Actor, Producer, Screen Writer, Comedian |
| Age | 49 years old |
| Date of Birth | 16th August 1975 |
| Mother Tongue | Maori |
| Religion | Polynesian Jew |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Leo |
| Birthplace | Wellington, New Zealand |
| HomeTown | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Current Address | New Zealand |
| Signature |  |
Taika Waititi Education, Qualification
Taika Waititi attended Onslow College in Wellington, New Zealand, for his secondary education. He then went on to study theatre at Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1997.
| School | Onslow College |
| College | Victoria University of Wellington |
| Degree/Graduation | Bachelor of Arts |
Relationship Status (Wife, Girlfriend, Affairs)
Taika Waititi and Loren Horsley
Taika Waititi’s early career was characterized by independent films, and during this time, he met New Zealand actress Loren Horsley. While details about their relationship are limited, they began dating around 2000 and collaborated on various projects together. In 2007, they co-wrote and starred in the romantic comedy “Eagle vs. Shark.” The exact duration of their relationship remains undisclosed.
Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley
Following his split from Horsley, Waititi began dating New Zealand film producer Chelsea Winstanley. They initially met in the early 2000s during an interview for a documentary series. In 2010, they collaborated on the film “Boy,” which Waititi wrote, directed, and starred in.
After dating for two years, they took their relationship to the next level, tying the knot in 2012. Together, they have two children, Te Hinekahu and Matewa Kiritapu. However, in 2018, the couple separated quietly, with the reasons undisclosed. Winstanley expressed a desire not to be in the shadow of her husband’s fame.
Taika Waititi and Rita Ora (2021-Present)
Waititi’s most recent relationship is with singer Rita Ora. They first sparked dating rumors in April 2021 when Ora shared a picture of them embracing on Instagram. A source confirmed their relationship, stating that they had been together since early March.
Their relationship drew attention when pictures of them, along with actress Tessa Thompson, showed them sharing affectionate moments. Waititi downplayed the situation, stating that it wasn’t a big deal. The couple’s commitment to each other has endured public scrutiny, and reports suggest that they are now married, although they have yet to confirm the news themselves.
Taika Waititi’s Family, Siblings
Taika Waititi’s mother’s name is Robin Cohen a schoolteacher and his father’s name is Taika Waititi, he was an artist and farmer. His mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, while his father is Māori (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui). His mother’s father was a Russian Jew from Novozybkov, Russia, and his family was Jewish. According to Waititi, his father’s side was “Māori and a little bit of French Canadian,” while his mother’s family was made up of Russian Jews, Irish, and other European ethnicities.
Taika’s Sister’s names are Mateheke “Tweedie” Waititi and Rosemary Joanna “Rose ” Stoker, and his brother’s name is Fredrick “Freddie” Stoker.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Taika Waititi Mother: Robin Cohen |
| Siblings/Cousins | Sister: Mateheke “Tweedie” Waititi, Rosemary Joanna “Rose” Stoker Brother: Fredrick “Freddie” Stoker |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Girlfriend/Wife | Chelsea Winstanley (m. 2011 – Div. 2018), Rita Ora (m. 2022) |
| Children | Daughter: Te Hinekaahu, Matewa Kiritapu Waititi |
Taika Waititi Height, Weight (Physical Appearance)
| Height | In centimeters: 184 cm In meters: 1.84 m In Feet: 6’0” |
| Weight | 68 Kgs 149 Lbs |
| Eye Color | Light Brown |
| Hair Color | Salt and Pepper |
Taika Waititi Net Worth and Salary
Taika Waititi’s Net Worth is around $13 Million
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $13 Million |
| Salary (Approx.) | $ 1 Million |
Career
Taika Waititi’s career has been a fascinating journey, marked by creative milestones and a significant impact on the world of entertainment.
1999–2011: Early career and film debut
- While studying at Victoria University of Wellington, Waititi was part of the comedy ensemble So You’re a Man, touring New Zealand and Australia.
- He co-founded the comedy duo “The Humourbeasts” with Jemaine Clement, receiving New Zealand’s prestigious Billy T Award in 1999.
- Waititi began creating comical short films for New Zealand’s 48-hour film contest.
- His short film “Two Cars, One Night” (2003) earned an Academy Award nomination.
- “Eagle vs Shark,” his first feature film, was released in 2007.
- He wrote and directed an episode of the TV show “Flight of the Conchords” in 2007.
- “Boy,” his second feature, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010, garnering critical acclaim and commercial success.
2011: Diverse Ventures
- Waititi directed the New Zealand TV series “Super City” in 2011.
- He portrayed Thomas Kalmaku in the superhero film “Green Lantern.”
2013–2019: Career Breakthrough and Expansion
- Waititi co-wrote, co-directed, and acted in the vampire mockumentary “What We Do in the Shadows” (2013).
- He directed “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” (2016), setting New Zealand box office records.
- In 2017, Waititi directed “Thor: Ragnarok” and portrayed Korg, earning critical acclaim.
- “Jojo Rabbit” (2019) marked his directorial and screenwriting achievements, winning an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Waititi directed and voiced a droid bounty hunter in “The Mandalorian” series, earning an Emmy nomination for voice-over work.
2020–Present: Diverse Projects
- In 2020, Waititi narrated a charity reading of “James and the Giant Peach.”
- He played Ratcatcher in “The Suicide Squad” (2021) and Antwan Hovachelik in “Free Guy.”
- Waititi co-created “Reservation Dogs” and starred in “Our Flag Means Death.”
- In 2021, he voiced Mo Morrison in the Pixar film “Lightyear.”
- He wrote and directed “Thor: Love and Thunder,” released in July 2022.
Upcoming Projects
- Taika Waititi is known to be working on a sequel to “What We Do in the Shadows” titled “We’re Wolves.”
- He’s set to direct a live-action adaptation of “Akira.”
- Waititi will direct a Flash Gordon movie and a television adaptation of “Time Bandits.”
- He’s also involved in creating an animated series based on Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
- In 2023, he’s set to direct a film adaptation of “Klara and the Sun.”
- He’s been confirmed to be working on a Star Wars movie, with production expected to start in 2024.
Taika Waititi Movies and Television Show List
| Year | Show Name | Role |
| 2007 | Eagle vs Shark | Director, Writer, Actor |
| 2010 | Boy | Director, Writer, Actor |
| 2014 | What We Do in the Shadows | Director, Writer, Actor, Producer |
| 2016 | Hunt for the Wilderpeople | Director, Writer, Actor, Producer |
| 2017 | Thor: Ragnarok | Director, Actor |
| 2019 | Jojo Rabbit | Director, Writer, Actor, Producer |
| 2022 | Thor: Love and Thunder | Director, Writer, Actor |
| 2023 | Next Goal Wins | Director, Writer, Actor, Producer |
Taika Waititi’s Award and Recognition
- Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (2020) for Jojo Rabbit.
- BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (2020) for Jojo Rabbit.
- Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (2020) for Jojo Rabbit.
- AACTA International Awards for Best Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit in 2020.
- Independent Spirit Awards for Best New Scripted Series for the Reservation Dogs in 2022.
- Writers Guild of America Awards for the Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit in 2020
Taika Waititi Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
 @taikawaititi | |
 @TaikaWaititi | |
 @taika.waititi |
Taika Waititi Controversies
Taika’s Film ‘Next Goal Wins’ Over Transgender Storyline
Taika Waititi’s film, “Next Goal Wins,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, faced criticism over its portrayal of a transgender character, Jaiyah Saelua.
The film is a footballing comedy starring Michael Fassbender as Dutch-American football coach Thomas Rongen, who managed the national team for American Samoa. One of the film’s subplots focuses on Jaiyah Saelua, the first transgender footballer to compete in a World Cup game, played by non-binary actor Kaimana.
While Kaimana’s performance was praised, critics raised concerns about the handling of the transgender storyline. Some described Waititi’s treatment of gender as flippant and criticized the film’s inability to engage in meaningful discussions about transness, hormones, and other related aspects. The portrayal of Jaiyah’s transition was also a point of contention, with some critics finding it problematic and clichéd.
Social media commentary further pointed out that the real Thomas Rongen, on whom the film is based, has not been accused of transphobic behavior. This has sparked a broader conversation about the film’s approach to the transgender character and its impact on the narrative.
Some Interesting Facts About Taika Waititi
- Taika Waititi was originally named Taika David Cohen.
- His movie “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” achieved the status of being the highest-grossing New Zealand film during that period.
- The Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay was awarded to Waititi for his work on the film “Jojo Rabbit.”
- His distinctive style is characterized by a unique and unconventional sense of humor.
- An installment of the well-received TV show “The Mandalorian” was helmed by Waititi.
- Taika has been among the directors involved in the Star Wars live-action streaming series.
FAQs
Yes, Taika Waititi is writing and directing a Star Wars movie. It was announced in May 2020 that Waititi would be working on a new Star Wars project.
Taika Waititi is 49 years old, and Rita Ora is 33 years old. This means that there is a 15-year age gap between them.
Taika Waititi and Rita Ora met in Sydney, Australia in 2021.
Taika Waititi is an important figure in the film industry because he is a talented and versatile filmmaker.
